Entries for February, 2006
January 31st, 2006
Slip your 5G iPod video in to a Kimono
Posted by MikeyMike at 06:22 PM on January 31, 2006 in Tech, iPod, Kawaii.
Slide a silky kimono case direct from Japan on your demure 5th Generation iPod Video (30 or 60gb). Must be a risque joke in there somewhere, but I can't think of it at the moment!
I've been thinking more and more of picking up a G5 iPod... color, video, bigger screen, displays lyrics, stores pics from digicams (including my D70), available kimono.... hum ^^
iPod 5G Video (30/60gb) version
iPod Mini version
even Shuttle version! (and there is Nano version soon too)...
And if you sprang for that Nano recently, here's the iKitty... Yes, you just lift its tail to um.... ^^
February 4th, 2006
Too Cute!
Posted by MikeyMike at 01:37 AM on February 4, 2006 in Kawaii.
Most of you know that I'm not a big cat fan, (unless they're well done) but this is just too cute to pass up. From Yin on Friendster...
February 6th, 2006
My Flickr
Posted by MikeyMike at 01:56 PM on February 6, 2006.
Go see my Fickr pictures
Here 
February 7th, 2006
Grammys Central
Posted by MikeyMike at 04:20 PM on February 7, 2006 in Arts, Performers.
Looks like Yahoo! has all you need for the 2006 Grammys. Wonder who will win this year?? Check it out
Here
Alicia Keys
Currently listening to: Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You
Mariah Carries the Momentum Into Grammys
Posted by MikeyMike at 04:31 PM on February 7, 2006 in Congrats!, Arts, Performers.
Good for her! Remember her being written off just a short while ago??
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY, AP Music Writer 2 hours, 29 minutes ago
LOS ANGELES - In less than a year's time,
Mariah Carey managed to escape pop's most dreaded fate — faded superstar — to become its reigning queen, ruling the record charts with the year's most popular single and its best-selling album.
Carey could also become queen of the Grammys if her momentum carries in to Wednesday night. The diva, who won her only two Grammys 16 years ago as a multiplatinum newcomer, has the opportunity to win a record-setting eight trophies, including in the coveted categories of record, song, and album of the year. No woman has won more than five Grammys in one evening.
A big win would be especially sweet for Carey, one of the best-selling artists of all time, who fell into a slump a few years ago after dealing with an emotional breakdown, a flop movie with "Glitter" and its poorly received soundtrack. In 2005, she was redeemed — "The Emancipation of Mimi" sold more than 5 million copies and her torch ballad "We Belong Together" was the year's most popular song.
"I think Mariah is going to have a great night," said Carey fan
Alicia Keys, who shares the most-Grammys-in-one-haul record with Beyonce and Lauryn Hill. "It's very nice to see people not give up."
"I'm just so happy for her," said
Mary J. Blige. "I watched them count her out; I watched them not believe her; I watched them say she was done. And she's back! So I'm going there just to see that, clap for her, and just be happy for her, and yes — I want her to get all of them. I want her to clean up."
Ten years ago, Carey was also in a position to sweep the Grammy awards, up for six of them, including record of the year for the tear-jerker ballad "One Sweet Day" with Boyz II Men. But she went home empty-handed as edgy newcomer
Alanis Morissette became the belle of the ball, winning four for "Jagged Little Pill."
This time, Carey again has tough competition in many of the categories in which she's nominated.
"The nominees are as strong as they've been in a long time," said Rick Krim, executive vice president of music and talent programming at VH1. With a diverse field of nominees that includes U2,
Paul McCartney, Green Day and
Gwen Stefani, he said, it's possible no artist — even Carey — will dominate the Grammys this year.
"I just think the nominees are so strong in the big categories and so deserving, it would somewhat be surprising," he said of a single-artist sweep.
Carey is not the only artists with eight nominations Wednesday night. Maverick rapper Kanye West and his R&B protege, newcomer John Legend, join her at the head of the pack. Carey and West are competing for record and album of the year — Carey for "We Belong Together and "The Emancipation of Mimi," and West for "Gold Digger" and "Late Registration."
This is the second year in a row that West finds himself nominated for a possible avalanche of Grammys — and it's only his second album. Last year, he was the leading nominee with 10 for his groundbreaking debut rap album, "The College Dropout" and his songwriting and production skills for other artists.
West is also considered a strong favorite Wednesday — "Gold Digger," featuring
Jamie Foxx reprising his Ray Charles bit, was one of the most popular songs of the year, and "Late Registration" sold more than two million copies.
But Carey and West face tough competition in the record of the year and album of the year categories. Other nominees for record of the year include Green Day's poignant "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," Gwen Stefani's crowd-pleaser "Hollaback Girl," and "Feel Good Inc." from the cartoon-fronted band, The Gorillaz.
For album of the year, the field is just as fierce. U2, who seems to win a Grammy every time it puts out an album, is nominated for "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb"; Stefani is up for her kitschy solo debut, "Love. Angel. Music. Baby."; and rock god Paul McCartney, who released his most acclaimed work in years with "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," is also nominated.
More
Currently listening to: Mariah Carey's We Belong Together
Perhaps Love
Posted by MikeyMike at 06:00 PM on February 7, 2006 in Arts, Performers.
Hey! Got my VCD of Peter Chans
Perhaps Love from yesasia.com today!
Looking foreward to seeing it soon. I love that green knit cap she wears... Thanks to
Peggy for telling me a about it!
I also have the
Rent DVD coming, as soon as it's available from Amazon (Feb21). You can save a LOT of money buying it from Amazon now...
Currently listening to: music from RENT
Commenting
Posted by MikeyMike at 06:33 PM on February 7, 2006.
I set my Comments time limit to 8 days, as recommended by
Roy for Comment Spam... Hate to do it, but it's a pain to go and deleting them... And I think the vast majority reply before then anyway. I don't want to block guests, 'cause some of my friends don't have Tabulas (believe it or not!^^). Just wanted everyone to know. btw,
Roy's Docs are getting better... He is putting super-human effort into Tabulas, so go give him some Love!
http://www.tabulas.com/help/index.php?docid=21
The Original A-Mei
Posted by MikeyMike at 10:06 PM on February 7, 2006 in Arts, Performers.
Anyone have this
CD or know the songs?? Need your input...
01. Love Song 1990 02. You Don't Want Anything... 03. Let Everyone's Heart Break 04. Cry-Sand... 05. Relieve 06. Standing Tall 07. The Days without Smoking 08. Blue Sky 09. Don't Say Good-Bye 10. Can't Cry 11. Bad Boy 12. Dream of sky... 13. Cinderella 14. Travel 15. Cutting Love... I hope these helps. I am not a very good translator... I've been living in the US for too long, don't know a lot about Taiwan's singers, though I knew A-Mei, but haven't listened to her songs in a long time. I know a couple of songs in this album are old. I know for a fact that #2 is an old song, I know a little bit of #1, 2, 4, 8.
Currently listening to: A-Mei
February 8th, 2006
Complete List of Grammy Award Winners
Posted by MikeyMike at 09:22 PM on February 8, 2006 in Congrats!, Arts, Performers.
Well, here they are... Mariah won for Female R&B Vocal Performance:
We Belong Together
Complete List of Grammy Award Winners
By The Associated Press 46 minutes ago
Winners at Wednesday's 48th Annual Grammy Awards:
Album of the Year: "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," U2.
Record of the Year: "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," Green Day.
New Artist: John Legend
Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Ordinary People," John Legend.
Pop Vocal Album: "Breakaway,"
Kelly Clarkson.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Numb/Encore," Jay-Z featuring Linkin Park.
Song of the Year: "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," U2.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Since U Been Gone," Kelly Clarkson.
Country Album: "Lonely Runs Both Ways," Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Rap Album: "Late Registration," Kanye West.
Rock Album: "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," U2.
Rap Solo Performance: "Gold Digger," Kanye West.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Don't Phunk With My Heart," The Black Eyed Peas.
Rap Song: "Diamonds From Sierra Leone," D. Harris and Kanye West.
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Devils & Dust,"
Bruce Springsteen.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own," U2.
Hard Rock Performance: "B.Y.O.B.," System of a Down.
Metal Performance: "Before I Forget," Slipknot.
Rock Instrumental Performance: "69 Freedom Special," Les Paul and Friends.
Rock Song: "City of Blinding Lights, U2, (U2).
Alternative Music Album: "Get Behind Me Satan," The White Stripes.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: "We Belong Together,"
Mariah Carey.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: "So Amazing," Beyonce and
Stevie Wonder.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: "A House Is Not a Home,"
Aretha Franklin.
Urban/Alternative Performance: "Welcome to Jamrock," Damian Marley.
R&B Song: "We Belong Together," J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, (Mariah Carey).
R&B Album: "Get Lifted," John Legend.
Contemporary R&B Album: "The Emancipation of Mimi," Mariah Carey.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: "From the Bottom of My Heart," Stevie Wonder.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "This Love," Maroon 5.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "Feel Good Inc.," Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul.
Pop Instrumental Performance: "Caravan," Les Paul.
Pop Instrumental Album: "At This Time,"
Burt Bacharach.
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "The Art of Romance,"
Tony Bennett.
Female Country Vocal Performance: "The Connection,"
Emmylou Harris.
Male Country Vocal Performance: "You'll Think of Me,"
Keith Urban.
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: "Restless," Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Like We Never Loved at All,"
Faith Hill and
Tim McGraw.
Country Instrumental Performance: "Unionhouse Branch," Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Country Song: "Bless the Broken Road," Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna and Marcus Hummon, (Rascal Flatts).
Latin Pop Album: "Escucha,"
Laura Pausini.
Latin Rock/Alternative Album: "Fijacion Oral Vol. 1," Shakira.
Traditional Tropical Latin Album: "Bebo De Cuba," Bebo Valdes.
Salsa/Merengue Album: "Son Del Alma," Willy Chirino.
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: "Mexico En La Piel," Luis Miguel.
Tejano Album: "Chicanisimo," Little Joe Y La Familia.
Engineered Album, Classical: "Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets," Da-Hong Seetoo, engineer (Emerson String Quartet).
Producer of the Year, Classical: Tim Handley.
Classical Album: "Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience," Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Christine Brewer and Joan Morris, University of Michigan School of Music Symphony Orchestra).
Orchestral Performance: "Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13," Mariss Jansons, conductor (Sergei Aleksashkin, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus).
Opera Recording: "Verdi: Falstaff," Sir Colin Davis, conductor (London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra).
Choral Performance: "Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience," Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Christine Brewer, Measha Brueggergosman, Ilana Davidson, Nmon Ford, Linda Hohenfeld, Joan Morris, Carmen Pelton, Marietta Simpson and Thomas Young, Michigan State University Children's Choir, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, University of Michigan University Choir and University Musical Society Choral Union, University of Michigan School of Music Symphony Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): "Beethoven: Piano Cons. Nos. 2 & 3," Claudio Abbado, conductor; Martha Argerich (Mahler Chamber Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): "Scriabin, Medtner, Stravinsky," Evgeny Kissin.
Chamber Music Performance: "Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets," Emerson String Quartet.
Small Ensemble Performance: "Boulez: Le Marteau Sans Maitre, Derive 1 & 2," Pierre Boulez, conductor, Hilary Summers, Ensemble Intercontemporain.
Classical Vocal Performance: "Bach: Cantatas," Thomas Quasthoff (Rainer Kussmaul, Members of the RIAS Chamber Choir, Berlin Baroque Soloists).
Classical Contemporary Composition: "Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience," William Bolcom (Leonard Slatkin).
Classical Crossover Album: "4 plus Four," Turtle Island String Quartet and Ying Quartet.
Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Ray," Ray Charles.
Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Ray," Craig Armstrong, composer.
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: "Believe," Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, songwriters, from "The Polar Express."
Instrumental Composition: "Into the Light," Billy Childs, composer.
Instrumental Arrangement: "The Incredits," Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Various Artists).
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life?" Billy Childs, Gil Goldstein and Heitor Pereira, arrangers (Chris Botti and Sting).
Traditional Blues Album: "80," B.B. King and Friends.
Traditional Folk Album: "Fiddler's Green," Tim O'Brien.
Contemporary Folk Album: "Fair & Square,"
John Prine.
Native American Music Album: "Sacred Ground — A Tribute to Mother Earth," Various Artists.
Hawaiian Music Album: "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar — Vol. 1," Various Artists.
Reggae Album: "Welcome to Jamrock," Damian Marley.
Traditional World Music Album: "In the Heart of the Moon," Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate.
Contemporary World Music Album: "Eletracustico," Gilberto Gil.
Polka Album: "Shake, Rattle and Polka!" Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.
Musical Album for Children: "Songs From the Neighborhood — The Music of Mister Rogers," Various Artists.
Spoken Word Album for Children: "
Marlo Thomas & Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long," Various Artists.
Spoken Word Album: "Dreams From My Father," Sen. Barack Obama.
Comedy Album: "Never Scared,"
Chris Rock.
Musical Show Album: "Monty Python's Spamalot."
Gospel Performance: "Pray,"
CeCe Winans.
Rock Gospel Song: "Be Blessed,"
Yolanda Adams, James Harris III, Terry Lewis and James Q. Wright, (Yolanda Adams).
Rock Gospel Album: "Until My Heart Caves In," Audio Adrenaline.
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: "Lifesong," Casting Crowns.
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album: "Rock of Ages ... Hymns & Faith," Amy Grant.
Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: "Purified," CeCe Winans.
Gospel Choir or Gospel Chorus: "One Voice," Gladys Knight, choir director.
New Age Album: "Silver Solstice," Paul Winter Consort.
Jazz Vocal Album: "Good Night, and Good Luck,"
Dianne Reeves.
Jazz Instrumental Solo: "Why Was I Born?" Sonny Rollins.
Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: "Beyond the Sound Barrier," Wayne Shorter Quartet.
Contemporary Jazz Album: "The Way Up," Pat Metheny Group.
Large Jazz Ensemble Album: "Overtime," Dave Holland Big Band.
Latin Jazz Album: "Listen Here!" Eddie Palmieri.
Traditional Soul Gospel Album: "Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs," Donnie McClurkin.
Dance Recording: "Galvanize," The Chemical Brothers featuring Q-Tip.
Electronic/Dance Album: "Push the Button," The Chemical Brothers.
Bluegrass Album: "The Company We Keep," The Del McCoury Band.
Contemporary Blues Album: "Cost of Living," Delbert McClinton.
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Steve Lillywhite.
Short Form Music Video: "Control," Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop.
Best Long Form Music Video: "No Direction Home" (
Bob Dylan).
Recording Package: "The Forgotten Arm,"
Aimee Mann and Gail Marowitz, art directors (Aimee Mann).
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: "The Legend," Ian Cuttler, art director (Johnny Cash).
Album Notes: "The Complete
Library of Congress Recordings by Alan Lomax," John Szwed, album notes writer (Jelly Roll Morton).
Historical Album: "The Complete Library of Congress Recordings by Alan Lomax," Jeffrey Greenberg and Anna Lomax Wood, compilation producers (Jelly Roll Morton).
Engineered Album, Non-Classical: "Back Home," Alan Douglas and Mick Guzauski, engineers (
Eric Clapton).
Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: "Superfly (Louie Vega EOL Mix)," Louie Vega, remixer (Curtis Mayfield).
Surround Sound Album: "Brothers in Arms — 20th Anniversary Edition," Chuck Ainlay, Bob Ludwig,
Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits).
February 12th, 2006
Michelle Kwan may DOES Drop Out
Posted by MikeyMike at 12:20 AM on February 12, 2006 in Arts, Performers.
UPDATE Michelle Dropped out offically a few minutes ago. Thanks to Adam for the bad news!
TURIN, Italy Feb 12, 2006 (AP)— Michelle Kwan dropped out of the Olympics on Sunday morning, one day after she cut short a practice because of a recurring groin injury.
The U.S. figure skater said Saturday she didn't want to drop out, but would have to "listen to my body." She missed last month's U.S. nationals with a groin injury, and needed a medical bye onto the Turin team.
This was to be the last chance at the elusive Olympic gold for Kwan, 25, the face of figure skating for the past decade. Though she won five world championships and nine U.S. titles, she always came up short at the Olympics, winning a silver medal in 1998 and a bronze in 2002.
The U.S. Olympic Committee submitted a request to replace Kwan with Emily Hughes, the third-place finisher at last month's nationals. An answer is expected later this week, and Hughes was expected to travel to Turin on Sunday.
Poor Michelle Kwan! Seems she's still hurting. But there are still 10 days to go... Go watch her wonderful Salt Lake 2002 Olympics Short Program
Here
Currently listening to: Michelle's Reflection Program
February 13th, 2006
Olympic Skating Pics...
Posted by MikeyMike at 04:47 PM on February 13, 2006 in Congrats!, Geographica, Arts, Performers.
That's what I really care about...
Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang of China
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang of China, who won silver, Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin of Russia, who won gold, and Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao of China, who won bronze, pose for a picture after the Pairs Free Skating Figure Skating during Day 3 of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on February 13, 2006 at the Palavela in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: Qing Pang and Jian Tong of China compete in the Pairs Free Skating Figure Skating during Day 3 of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on February 13, 2006 at the Palavela in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Rena Inoue, left, and John Baldwin, of the United States, perform a throw triple axel during the Pairs Skating final in Turin, Italy during the Winter Olympic Games on Monday, Feb. 13, 2006. Inoue fell on the landing.
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 13: Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison of Canada compete in the Pairs Free Skating Figure Skating during Day 3 of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on February 13, 2006 at the Palavela in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
US pairs skater Rena Inoue(R), seen here with her partner John Baldwin in January 2006, has revealed how seven years ago she feared that she would never skate again after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 12: United States Figure Skater Michelle Kwan reacts emotionally and tearfully after announcing her withdrawal, due to injury, from the Olympics during a press conference at the main media center on Day 2 of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games February 12, 2006 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stephen Munday/Getty Images)
Currently listening to: Olympic Theme Song
NameVoyager
Posted by MikeyMike at 09:52 PM on February 13, 2006 in Kawaii.
Really cool program to find out how popular a first name has been over time. Try putting in your name, and see how it stands the test of time...
Click
here to go to NameVoyager....
Also, check out the FAQ and Blog on the same page.
Here's the current
Top 25 baby names for boys and girls...
Satisfy your curiosity with this rundown of the 25 most popular names for boys and girls. This small list accounts for a fifth of all babies born ‑- more than #200 to #1000 put together.
Girls Boys
1. Emily Jacob
2. Emma Michael
3. Madison Joshua
4. Olivia Matthew
5. Hannah Ethan
6. Abigail Andrew
7. Isabella Daniel
8. Ashley William
9. Samantha Joseph
10. Elizabeth Christopher
11. Alexis Anthony
12. Sarah Ryan
13. Grace Nicholas
14. Alyssa David
15. Sophia Alexander
16. Lauren Tyler
17. Brianna James
18. Kayla John
19. Natalie Dylan
20. Anna Nathan
21. Jessica Jonathan
22. Taylor Brandon
23. Chloe Samuel
24. Hailey Christian
25. Ava Benjamin
February 14th, 2006
History of St. Valentines Day
Posted by MikeyMike at 08:34 PM on February 14, 2006 in Congrats!, Arts.
Happy Valentines Day!!
Not to be confused with the
St. Valentine's Day Massacre!
Did You Know about Valentines Day?
The History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
Currently reading: Let me count the ways...
February 16th, 2006
It's a nice day for an 'EverQuest' wedding
Posted by MikeyMike at 12:22 AM on February 16, 2006 in Rants.
It had to happen!
Chris Edwards and Alayne Wartell met in the virtual world "Second Life" and eventually got married in the real world. Here, their avatars share a little romantic time.
By Daniel Terdiman
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Published: February 14, 2006, 4:00 AM PST
Some people might think it odd to find a soul mate in a place where hunting orcs, battling villains or zipping around in hover cars are the day's primary activities.
In-world wedding
Chris Edwards is not one of them. He met his wife Alayne in the virtual world "Second Life," a game in which players design and build almost any reality they can conceive.
"We'd both been in chat rooms before, but (there was so much) extra depth in 'Second Life,'" said Edwards. "It lets you explore other people's creativity, and that was something that really attracted us to each other. She was experimenting with building plants and flowers and trees, and that was really neat, because I hadn't built anything organic."
Edwards is one of a surprising number of people who have found their long-term Valentines in online games and metaverses like "EverQuest," "City of Heroes" or "Second Life."
Such virtual worlds are 3D digital environments where large numbers of people interact, regardless of where they are geographically. Some of these worlds focus on players reaching specific goals, such as completing quests or slaying monsters, while others leave players to do whatever their imaginations lead them to. Ultimately, though, the games revolve around socialization, allowing people to meet and learn about each other in the context of creative play.
To be sure, not every virtual-world romantic interlude ends up at the altar. In some cases, not surprisingly, players have used the environments to stalk would-be paramours, and tales of nasty breakups are common. But because the games give players so much
latitude to become acquainted with others' imaginations and sense of play, they can be a natural place for gauging what it might be like to spend significant time with someone in the real world.
For Edwards, a 36-year-old game designer in Harrogate, England, and his wife, Alayne Wartell, "Second Life" provided a forum where the two, then living across the Atlantic Ocean from each other, could discover a wide range of mutual interests. More
Here
February 19th, 2006
Obviously
Posted by MikeyMike at 08:15 PM on February 19, 2006 in iPod, Kawaii, Wild.
Obviously
Monkee's Pod holder on the left,
Peggy's Pink Pod holder on the right...
Or could this stick on "Fish" cover them both, and MiniAngel as well?? ^^
Get them
Here
February 20th, 2006
Balto
Posted by MikeyMike at 11:34 PM on February 20, 2006 in Geographica, Doggies, Wild.
Looking at
Prettylady's Tabulas about the 8 Husky dogs featured in the movie
Eight Below her niece just saw, got me thinking about
Balto, the very famous sled dog who saved many lives in Alaska by delivering medicine during blizzard weather conditions where no machine could operate. There's a statue of him in New York's Central Park. Here's the highlight of his story:
February 1
Through blinding snow and hurricane force winds, the desperately needed serum was passed from Seppala to Charlie Olson (25 miles) and then to Gunnar Kaasen. Had Kaasen an inkling of how wild the storm would rage, he would not have chosen Balto to lead his team out of Bluff. Although Balto was one of Seppala's dogs, he simply was not thought of as a very good leader. But Balto proved his mettle when he plunged into the roaring blizzard, at one point halting to save driver and team from instant death in the Topkok River.
No one believed Kaasen would make it through the storm, so when he arrived at the Safety Shelter, 21 miles from Nome, he found the next driver asleep. The team was running well and so they forged ahead. Their endurance was tested even further when a sudden, fierce blast of wind lifted both sled and dogs into the air. While fighting to right the sled and untangle the team, Kaasen's heart sunk - the serum was gone! Only after frantically searching the snow with his bare hands did he miraculously find it.
February 2
Before daybreak on February 2, 1925, Balto led Gunnar Kaasen's team into Nome. The town was saved! Exhausted and nearly frozen after the 53-mile run, Kaasen, Balto and the rest of the mushing team became instant heroes across the United States. The 674-mile trip was made in 1271/2 hours, considered by mushers to be a world's record.
Forgotten Heroes
The glory showered on the dogs was short-lived. Hollywood movie producer Sol Lesser brought the dogs to Los Angeles and created a 30-minute film, "Balto's Race to Nome." Kaasen and his team then toured the U.S. during the summer and fall of 1925. But later Balto and the rest of the dog team were sold to an unknown vaudeville promoter. Two years later, Balto and his famous companions had become lost in the world of sideshows and the whirl of the roaring twenties. It seemed the world had forgotten the "Heroes of Alaska." Then, on a visit to Los Angeles, Cleveland businessman George Kimble discovered the dogs displayed at a "dime" museum and noticed that they were ill and mistreated. He knew the famous story of Balto and was outraged at seeing this degradation. A deal was struck to buy the dogs for $2, 000 and bring them to Cleveland - but Kimble had only two weeks to raise the sum. The race to save Balto was on!
A Balto fund was established. Across the nation, radio broadcasts appealed for donations. Headlines in The Plain Dealer told of the push to rescue the heroes. Cleveland's response was explosive. School children collected coins in buckets; factory workers passed their hats; and hotels, stores, and visitors donated what they could to the Balto fund. The Western Reserve Kennel Club gave a needed finantial boost. The people had responded generously. In just ten days the headlines read, "City Smashes Over Top With Balto Fund! Huskies To Be Shipped From Coast at Once!"
On March 19, 1927, Balto and six companions were brought to Cleveland and given a heroes' welcome in a triumphant parade through the Public Square. The dogs were then taken to the Cleveland Zoo to live out their lives in dignity. It was said that 15, 000 people visited them on their first day there.
Balto died on March 14, 1933, at the age of 11. The husky's body was mounted at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where it has been kept as a reminder of the gallant race against death.
Read all the original article
Here
February 22nd, 2006
In Memorium
Posted by MikeyMike at 01:40 PM on February 22, 2006 in Doggies.
Update: The breeder is going to give us a new puppy when it's old enough. Even sending a blanket with the new dog's scent, so Quincanon can get used to it...
I added a song for Donald - Lanz and Speer's
Behind The Waterfall. It's on my RadioBlog. Just seemed appropriate for his gentle soul...
Donald (black and white coloring)
Donald died in his sleep late last night, peaceful. Surely he is in puppy heaven. We don't know what happened...
Currently listening to: Lanz and Speer's Behind the Waterfall
Currently watching: All Dogs Go To Heaven
Currently feeling: sad
February 27th, 2006
Excellent Animated Movies You Missed
Posted by MikeyMike at 08:40 PM on February 27, 2006 in Arts, Kawaii, Doggies, Performers, Lyrics.
I was just thinking about Balto (The famous Alaskan rescue dog). How many have seen the 1995 animated version named
Balto - or even know it exists? And besides being vastly underated, it is truely a family movie, that even the youngest can get something from it??
You can prolly find it in the reduced priced videos section of your local movie rental place...
While you are rummaging through the reduced rental price flicks, look for
The Iron Giant another underrated classic of anuimation the whole family can love...
Your film guide, Mikey de Mille...
PS - I got the idea for this from "Vidder"
Simbiani (making music videos from movie clips - mostly from animated movies.) You can see one of her "Vids" from Balto
Here
Currently listening to: Hero Vid from Balto
Currently watching: Hero Vid from Balto
February 28th, 2006
Guess what Mikey bought today???
Posted by MikeyMike at 12:50 AM on February 28, 2006 in iPod, Congrats!, Photography.
hehehe! 60GB iPod Video in basic black - Mine! All mine!!
See U2's G5 iPod commercial
Here
Couple of handheld Pod shots... have to do this better later! Doesn't do it justice, but it gives you some idea...
Currently listening to: Black 60gb iPod Video
Currently reading: Black 60gb iPod Video
Currently watching: Black 60gb iPod Video
