If You Use the Web, You May Have Already Been Enlisted as a Human Scanner
Those anti-bot security forms that slow you down when you’re entering information just might serve a larger purpose- Scientific American

By Adam Hadhazy

You’re just about ready to buy a pair of tickets on Ticketmaster, but before you can take the next step, an annoying box with wavy letters and numbers shows up on your screen. You dutifully enter in what you see—and what a bot presumably can’t—in the name of security.

But what you may not know is that you also have helped archivists decipher distorted characters in old books and newspapers so that they can be posted on the Web.

You might think that computer scientists would have figured out a way to get computers to decipher those characters. But they haven’t, so instead they’ve figured out a way to harness all that effort you’re making to protect your security. “When you’re reading those squiggly characters, you are doing something that computers cannot,” says Luis von Ahn, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University (C.M.U.) in Pittsburgh.

Von Ahn and colleagues reported last week in the journal Science that Web users have transcribed the equivalent of 160 books a day—that’s more than 440 million words—in the year since researchers kicked off the program. The initiative is similar to “distributed computing” schemes like SETI@home, which take advantage of unused personal computer processing power to sift through signals received from space for those that might be generated by extraterrestrial intelligence or to figure out how proteins fold. But the difference with this system is that people, not processors, do the calculations.

“We are getting people to help us digitize books at the same time they are authenticating themselves as humans,” von Ahn says. “Every time people are typing these [answers] out, they are actually taking old books or newspapers and helping to transcribe them.”

Other large digitization projects, such as the Google Books Project and the Internet Archive, rely on optical character recognition (OCR) software. Basically, computers take a digital image of a book or newspaper page, then try to discern the individual letters, von Ahn says. But he and other C.M.U. researchers estimate that these programs misinterpret or fail to read up to one out of every five words on weathered, yellowed paper or on pages with faded or smeared ink. Such electronically illegible words and texts must then be manually transcribed by human workers at a relatively high cost, he says.

Von Ahn’s team’s method is a twist on the Web site tests known as CAPTCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart), which have been in use since 2000. The new twist on CAPTCHAs is to use a set of letters from old, weathered books and newspapers that computerized transcribing programs cannot recognize. Much of the raw “fuel” comes courtesy of the Internet Archive project, which transmits words that its OCRs cannot recognize or do not appear in the dictionary.

About 40,000 Websites now use the service, called reCAPTCHA, which the project’s site offers for free. Facebook was one of its first major patrons.

Von Ahn estimates that at reCAPTCHA’s current rate of transcription (about four million words a day missed by OCR systems), the program does a week’s worth of transcription from 1,500 professional transcribers in a single day. This data is stored on hard drives at C.M.U. and then sent back to the organization that requested the transcription. (The New York Times, for example, has enlisted reCAPTCHA to digitize the newspaper’s archives dating back to 1851.)

Von Ahn acknowledges that the overall cost for reCAPTCHA is still a bit higher than just using OCR for more recently written, more easily scanned texts. He would not say exactly how much, citing nondisclosure agreements with clients using the software.

When the researchers compared how reCAPTCHA and OCR transcribed five Times articles, reCAPTCHA did a significantly better job—99.1 percent accuracy—than OCR of the sort that Google uses for its book project, which came in at 83.5 percent. (Google declined to comment for this story.)

But as is the way with most technology, today’s innovation is tomorrow’s VHS tape. Eventually computers will be able to decipher reCAPTCHAs, too. “We’ll get a few good years out of reCAPTCHAs,” says co-author Manuel Blum, a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon and key developer of some of the first CAPTCHAs.

OCR will continue to improve as well, Blum says, along with so-called machine learning in general.

Either way, with some 100 million books published prior to the dawn of the digital era, says von Ahn, that “makes for a lot of words.”

Cheers to you Tenille and Thomas! May the force be with you both.

By Sarah Tippit

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) – The bride and groom grasped one another’s dart launcher-clad wrists and stared into each other’s starry eyes.

Fifty armor-clad guests, including several “Jedis” and a white caped “Elvis” in a rhinestone-studded ammo belt, stood reverently at attention. A couple of superheroes showed up late.

What better place to hold a “Star Wars” themed wedding than a green patch of grass just outside the famed Comic-Con convention where thousands of fans have congregated this week to revel in all manner of superhero and sci-fi lore?

Friday’s wedding ceremony, based on the language, costume and lore of a fictional Mandalorian race in the “Star Wars” movies, was the brain child of Tenille Kuhlman, 30, and Thomas Kuhlman, 39, avid fans who decided that the convention was a perfect place to gather far-flung members of their close-knit “Star Wars” fan club to celebrate their special day.

The couple met online two years ago, said Tenille Kuhlman, who said she was at first was hesitant to embrace the Mandalorian lifestyle. “When I met him I knew what every Joe Blow knows about ‘Star Wars.’ It just sort of turned into life for us.”

Last winter they married in a civil ceremony and settled in Yuma, Arizona, yet Thomas Kuhlman longed to receive a Mandalorian blessing of their union. “I said, ‘Hey, that’s never going to happen,’” Tenille Kuhlman said.

But according to clan creed, Mandalorians don’t make threats, they make promises. The wedding quickly began to take shape. Yet 10 minutes before the ceremony was to begin, despite her careful planning, Tenille found herself still wearing her “I Love Nerds” T-shirt, nervous and without makeup.

Friends stepped in to help. “Hey, come on guys I’ve got jobs for you to do!” one Mandalorian shouted. “Bounty hunters are all about jobs!” an eager warrior replied.

With that friends quickly set up a makeshift arch and helped the bride, blushing from the heat of the hot summer sun, into her homemade armor, which included metal thigh plates, metal collar, cape, belt, and plastic cuffs known as gauntlets which in movie lore, are capable of shooting darts.

The guests — in full regalia including helmets, boots and jet packs — formed two lines and created a light saber arch leading toward the altar.

“I don’t have my fake gun!” somebody shouted. “That’s OK,” said another guest. “This is a wedding ceremony. I left mine in the car.”

The crowd fell silent as Tenille, escorted by armor-clad P.J. Reindel, a police officer from California who she met online, walked her down the aisle toward Thomas, who stood under an archway decorated with white faux roses.

The bride and groom held their helmets in their hands, a solemn sign of Mandalorian respect. As they grasped wrists, Tom Hutchens, a 30-year-old IT professional and erstwhile Mandalorian preacher, began the ceremony.

“Vodas,” he said, using the Mandalorian word for “friends,” “Outsiders, Jedis, everybody, welcome. This is a contract between two Mandalorians who made a journey and future together and bled together and will continue to bleed together until their last day,” he said.

After reciting their vows in both Mandalorian and English translation, the jubilant crowd shouted: “Oya!” which in Mandalorian language means “celebration.”

“I now pronounce you Mandalorian husband and wife,” Hutchens said.

(Editing by Bill Trott)

They “ewww’ed” and “gross’ed” back and forth while you heard the ‘tap tap tapping’ of web surfing. I was intrigued! I was on a new mission! I HAD to find the mutant pig boy!

My mind raced back to a Seinfeld episode where Kramer came across such a creature in the hospital. A freak of nature that we, the audience, never got to see. Ooooh but times are different now. After speeding home and picking pedestrian pieces out of my grill, I ran inside and warmed up the portal to the wwweird.

This odd looking animal could quite possibly be real if it’s not a hoax and now I can *finally* put my curiosity to rest.

Okay ladies and gentlegeeks, I present:

The monkey faced pig… (no searches came up under human faced pig- but Google primate faced pig or monkey faced pig and voila- satiated curiosity)

Found on Orange:

Curious locals flocked to the home of owner Feng Changlin after news of the piglet spread in Fengzhang village, Xiping township.

“It’s hideous. No one will be willing to buy it, and it scares the family to even look at it!” Feng told Oriental Today.

He says the piglet looks just like a monkey, with two thin lips, a small nose and two big eyes. Its rear legs are also much longer than its forelegs, causing it to jump instead of walk.

Feng’s wife said the monkey-faced piglet was one of five newborns of a sow which the family had raised for nine years.

“My God, it was so scary. I didn’t known what it was. I was really frightened,” she said.

“But our son likes to play with it, and he stopped us from getting rid of it. He even feeds it milk.”

Neighbours have suggested the couple keep the piglet to see how it looks as it matures.

I can assure this pig that will not be made into pizza toppings… ever.

I could use the excuse that I don’t have iTunes, but really, is that a good enough excuse? No. No it is not. For those of you who have been like me, living in a cave- I give you ‘A brand new day, last song act 2′. It should be coming out on DVD, but in the meantime you can catch pieces of it on Youtube (thanks Cavtroop for showing me the error of my ways and pointing me in the right direction. One day, year, decade; I hope to be on good side of the Whedonverse again).

For those who have that iTunes thingy… (that I’m downloading right now, although if you read the following… I MISSED IT!!!) As Joss is my witness, shall never be in the dark again! Gee, what happened this past month that could have possibly distracted me other than the car accidents, whiplash, finding a new car, etc…

A LETTER FROM JOSS WHEDON

Dear Friends,

At last the time has come to reveal to you our Master Plan. BEWARE! Those with weak hearts should log off lest they be terrified by the twisted genius of our schemes! Also pregnant women and the elderly should consider reading only certain sentences. Do not mix with other blogs. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this blog. You must be this tall to read. ‘Kay?

It is time for us to change the face of Show Business as we know it. You know the old adage, “It’s Show Business – not Show Friends”? Well now it’s Show Friends. We did that. To Show Business. To show Show Business we mean business. (Also, there are now other businesses like it.)

ONE WEEK ONLY! AN INTERNET MINISERIES EVENT!

“Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” will be streamed, LIVE (that part’s not true), FREE (sadly, that part is) right on Drhorrible.com, in mid-July. Specifically:

ACT ONE (Wheee!) will go up Tuesday July 15th.

ACT TWO (OMG!) will go up Thursday July 17th.

ACT THREE (Denouement!) will go up Saturday July 19th.

All acts will stay up until midnight Sunday July 20th. Then they will vanish into the night, like a phantom (but not THE Phantom – that’s still playing. Like, everywhere.)

And now to answers a few Frequently (soon to be) Asked Questions:

1) Why, Joss? Why? Why now, why free, why us?

Once upon a time, all the writers in the forest got very mad with the Forest Kings and declared a work-stoppage. The forest creatures were all sad; the mushrooms did not dance, the elderberries gave no juice for the festival wines, and the Teamsters were kinda pissed. (They were very polite about it, though.) During this work-stoppage, many writers tried to form partnerships for outside funding to create new work that circumvented the Forest King system.

Frustrated with the lack of movement on that front, I finally decided to do something very ambitious, very exciting, very mid-life-crisisy. Aided only by everyone I had worked with, was related to or had ever met, I single-handedly created this unique little epic. A supervillain musical, of which, as we all know, there are far too few.

The idea was to make it on the fly, on the cheap – but to make it. To turn out a really thrilling, professionalish piece of entertainment specifically for the internet. To show how much could be done with very little. To show the world there is another way. To give the public (and in particular you guys) something for all your support and patience. And to make a lot of silly jokes. Actually, that sentence probably should have come first.

2) What happens when it goes away? Does it go to a happy farm for always like Fluffy did when mommy was crying and the neighbor kept washing his fender?

No, Dr horrible will live on. We intend to make it available for download soon after it’s published. This would be for a nominal fee, which we’re hoping people will embrace instead of getting all piratey. We have big dreams, people, and one of them is paying our crew.

And somewhat later, we will put the complete short epic out on DVD – with the finest and bravest extras in all the land. We’ll go into greater detail about that at Comiccon, but we’re changing the face of Show Friendliness a second time with that crazy DVD.

3) Joss, you are so kind, and generous, and your forehead is like, huge, like SCARY, like I think I can see Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint hanging off it… what can WE do to help this musical extravanganza?

What you always do, peeps! What you’re already doing. Spread the word. Rock some banners, widgets, diggs… let people know who wouldn’t ordinarily know. It wouldn’t hurt if this really was an event. Good for the business, good for the community – communitIES: Hollywood, internet, artists around the world, comic-book fans, musical fans (and even the rather vocal community of people who hate both but will still dig on this). Proving we can turn Dr Horrible into a viable economic proposition as well as an awesome goof will only inspire more people to lay themselves out in the same way. It’s time for the dissemination of the artistic process. Create more for less. You are the ones that can make that happen.

Wow. I had no idea how important you guys were. I’m a little afraid of you.

4) Joss, do you ever answer a question simply or coherently?

Shledzguohn?

There’ll be more questions, and more long, long answers, but for now I’m just excited that we’re actually making this happen. We (and a lot of other people — gushing to commence soon) worked very hard on the show and we hope/think you guys will be pleased.

Until July 15th , I remain, yours truly, -j, of the firm j, j, m & z.

Things have been quiet in the Joss-Whed-verse for awhile now and for those who have been following him (more like skulking, stalking, pretending to be trees on his estate) then you’ve heard the talk of his latest project: Dollhouse!

Well… oh ye Jossey-Whedon-verse fans, I came across this on ‘Aint it Cool News‘ and my Whedo-uverse passion has been lit again.

On the list: Eliza Dushku as Echo (Faith from BTVS)
Amy Acker (Fred from Angel) … and other people

Here’s the interview that I stumbled across

Welcome (back) to the Dollhouse.

A New Pilot? A New Hope? A Prequel? A Nyquil? What’s the skinny on DOLLHOUSE and why doesn’t this link to anything?

Hi guys. Well, it’s been an eventful week. While all of you have been enjoying (and in some cases, suddenly NOT enjoying) our adorable little musical romp “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” (exclusively available on iTunes!) (And I lied about some people not enjoying it!) I’ve been busying myself with a little something I like to call DOLLHOUSE. Finishing a new episode. Finishing a new… here’s the headline… FIRST episode.

What’s that, you say? A second first? How can such a thing be? Does it defy the laws of all physics? Well, I sat down with Rutherford D. Actualperson to do a quick Q&A and give you all the skinny on the progress of my new series (Available on iTunes at some point one would assume!)

Rutherford D. Actualperson: Joss. You are a legend in the industry, and your forehead is a normal size proportionate to your face. Tell me about the idea behind doing a new first episode. Didn’t you already shoot one?

Joss: Yes, Ruhthie, I did. And it was grand, simply grand.

R.D.A: Then why shoot another? Also, your teeth are whitish.

Joss: I said it was grand, I didn’t say it was comprehensible. I showed some scenes to David Lynch and he’s all, “whuh?” Bad sign. But I kid.

The fact is, I’m very proud of the ep we shot and the series is making me crazy with the excitement. But I tend to come at things sideways, and there were a few clarity issues for some viewers. There were also some slight issues with tone – I was in a dark, noir kind of place (where, as many of you know, I make my home), and didn’t bring the visceral pop the network had expected from the script. The network was cool about it, but not sure how to come out of the gate with the ep.

R.D.A.: So they made you do another. It’s Firefly all over again! Run! For the love of God, HE’S CALLING FROM THE HOUSE!!!

Joss: Wow. Good panic.

R.D.A.: I try. But I am genuinely concerned. Also your smooth skin and elegant hands are making me bi-curious.

Joss: Well, the idea to do a new first episode wasn’t the network’s. It was mine. I understood their consternation, and saw the gap between my style and their expectations, and I suggested I shoot a new ep and make the one I’d shot the second. It isn’t going to be buried, like the pilot of Firefly. It’s simply coming after another, slightly cleaner ep. And because unlike Firefly, it isn’t a two hour epic which introduces everyone to each other, the onus isn’t on the new ep to explain a million things.

The fact is, Fox ordered the series before we shot a frame and then, after the strike, I had literally two months to write and prep the whole thing. Which means simply that the network has to figure out what they might want to tweak AFTER it was shot, unlike a pilot. Buffy didn’t make the fall sched, Angel got shut down when they saw the second ep outline… it’s birth pangs. The network truly gets the premise (this is a whole new crew, as you know), loves the cast, is excited about the show – but they’re also specific about how they want to bring people to the show and I not only respect that, I kinda have to slap my forehead that I didn’t tailor my tone and structure to the network’s needs, since that’s something I pride myself on.

R.D.A.: You’re not just being the good soldier?

Joss: We both know from years of experience that I’m a crap soldier, though I am an accomplished fan-dancer. No, this is a very cold look at what’s going on, and it’s not an Us vs Them. The truth is, I’m in love with this world, and I don’t care how people get into it. I have a million things to say about (and through) all of these characters, and I don’t mind which ones I say first. I think I just turned in a pretty cool pilot script. [Editor’s note: that means someone TOLD him THEY thought it was cool. He has no judgement of his own. This is sad, but on the plus side, it was probably one of his writers, who actually ARE cool. So rest easy.]

R.D.A.: So what does this mean for production?

Joss: We’ve pushed an extra few days so I can prep this bitch within an inch of its life, i.e., read it once more.

R.D.A.: But how will this affect the foundation of the very turning of our precious earth, and by that I mean Comiccon?

Joss: Yeah. Unfortunately, we won’t have a new teaser to show, since we’ll start shooting after the con. People will have to settle for chatting with Eliza and Tahmoh. But they’re likeable folk. (Sadly, Tahmoh only speaks Canadian, though he has a lovely translator at his side, like Isabella Rosselini in “White Nights”.) We’ll still rock the panel, but showing clips is kind of a tradition, so my emoticon doth frown.

R.D.A.: And the first first episode?

Joss: I’ll reshoot a few scenes, but it’ll basically air as is. When I was given seven episodes, I referred to them as “the Seven Pilots”, ‘cause you always have to lay out the premise one way or another in those early eps. So instead of Grumpy, this particular episode will be Sneezy. (Seriously. Eliza fights POLLEN! Sooo sexy.)

R.D.A.: So Eliza’s still a different character every week?

Joss: Often several.

R.D.A: And in the Dollhouse, the amazing-looking facility where all the beautiful people whose memories have been wiped live in a state of unselfconscious innocence, the showers are co-ed? [Editor’s note: the showers are co-ed?]

Joss: The showers are co-ed. [Editor’s note: HOT damn.]

R.D.A.: So nothing of substance has been changed. Shower-wise.

Joss: You are a sad, lonely actual man, Actualman.

R.D.A.: So true, so true. Thank you for talking/fan-dancing to me. Anything else you’d like to add?

Joss: Available exclusively on iTunes! Oh. About Dollhouse? Only that it’s going to be a funhouse ride of excitement, fear, existential angst and co-ed showers. That I love it. Love the writers, love the cast, and already blissfully live in the strange, compelling world of the removable self. Hmm. When I pitched it to Eliza, she said “My God, it’s my life!” But after that sentence, I think maybe it’s mine.

R.D.A.: I guess we’ll have to wait till January to see what you’ve cooked up.

Joss: And I’ll probably keep cooking till the moment I serve.

R.D.A.: Would you hold me?

Joss: Yes, Ruhthie. Yes I will.

[Editor’s note in Strongbad’s voice: IT’S OVER!]

I first spotted it on a highly profile gadget blog and walked away with the idea in my head without exploring it further.

I followed the tree of site to site branches in order to see what exactly it was that I was looking at and noticed that with each new blog, the idea was mutated.

The thoughts that went through my head as I walked away were “It’d actually be a decent idea if they didn’t go a high tech route and instead opted for a clever and simple approach.”

When I made my way through the string of links, I found my idea pretty much laid out. Clever! Simple!

There was a time when woman’s fashions were highly experimental and highly uncomfortable (a hundred or so years before my time and it never really stopped). The female ‘dress’ shoes that were created for comfort really didn’t fly off the shelves, or if they did, they were tossed aside ala ‘Sex in the City’ and other similar influences to the highly impressionable female mind.

While these shoes may not currently be the most aesthetic, it is a good concept.

My partial comment on the site:

“No, the design is not the most appealing, but that can be worked on. It actually looks a little cheap (the uppers) however, if done right you can do an entire line of those that fit someone’s tastes better. If the sole has some soft flexibility to it and there was a slight redesign, I think it’s a great idea.

2 shoes in one which is great for a spontaneous moment or having to attend a party directly after work. If done correctly, it can also be a saving grace when traveling (less space needed for shoes).

I say work on the design a little and go for it.”

And great minds think alike: Yakodesigns “What is it about high heels that make women weak in the knees (other than it makes women literally weak in the knees)? Oh right, I remember now, high heels are HOT! So what is a girl to do when she leaves with her office in boring flats and wants to show off her stems? Get herself up to speed with this adjustable heel shoes called “Goodie 2 Shoes” by designer Natalie Thorne. The height transition is made possible by a quick and easy male and female peg system secured by strong magnets and a hidden hinge. But wait, there’s more! The whole look and feel of the shoe can be altered by the interchangeable plastic uppers. These customisable uppers are attached using snap fixings, which allows them to be easily clipped on and off, replacing them with uppers of different shapes, colours and styles. And if that were not enough, she will even throw in a pair of ginsu knives for free! Act now.

Designer: Natalie Cosette Thorne”

‘Boondock Saints 2? Plot details + Production Diary!’ Wow, this looked vaguely like something I had read a few years ago that never seemed to pan out. Well with Troy Duffy having to deal with some legal issues that just wrapped up, I guess everything is getting the green light… maybe… Damn I hate rumors.

From the golden post at GeeksofDoom written by “The Movie God”:

Midway through watching the latest Hannah Montana episode, I decided to end the insanity and check out what was being dugg. This next headline of course captured my attention and made the surrounding world fade away instantly (crub! I think there was a pet or two I was supposed to feed)

‘Boondock Saints 2? Plot details + Production Diary!’ Wow, this looked vaguely like something I had read a few years ago that never seemed to pan out. Well with Troy Duffy having to deal with some legal issues that just wrapped up, I guess everything is getting the green light… maybe… Damn I hate rumors.

“The boys (Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flanery) and their father Il Duce (Billy Connolly) have been living in seclusion, deep in Ireland on a sheep farm, away from everything, when Il Duce’s brother comes to tell them that a priest was murdered in Boston and it was set up to look like it was done by the Saints.

The boys rush back to deal with it, while they’re supposedly ailing father stays on the farm. There’s a new character who’s kind of the Rocco character named Romeo; funny, but much more bad ass. As soon as the brothers land, they start picking off anyone who may be tied to this framing. Willem Dafoe is not in the sequel, a new FBI detective comes into play — a female with a strong southern accent. She wants to catch the Saints and is working with some of the detectives in the first movie (like Bob Marley) who, as we know, decided the Saints were good and began helping them, but they don’t think she knows this, so they need to go with that. Eventually their father comes back into play and tells them what’s going on, which sets in motion a full-on flashback of the story of Il Duce from day one.

Oh, hell freakin’ yes. <-his words, I have to write… Oh hell FUHreaking YES!

On a separate note, something you kids might not know that we find within this interview: The Dark Knight is brought up (like you’re surprised) — it turns out that Heath Ledger was one of the actors that came at Troy Duffy about being one of the brothers. Apparently this was right around when he was brand new and Duffy needed the brothers to look more alike and it was too difficult to find someone who looked like Ledger, so he wasn’t able to use him. Interesting.

To listen to the whole interview with more details on the lawsuit, fan questions, and all sorts more stuff, check it out below.” Continue to follow this link so you can get to the links to click

I’m torn, should I be excited? The Dark Knight certainly was a phenomenal sequel, but such a great piece of work is rare- especially in todays industry. Has too much time gone by where the magic from the original film is lost? Was Boondock Saints Troy’s one hit wonder? If this does pan out, will I go see it? Should I be excited? I am now going to pop the original in my DVD player and probably go feed some cats.

Technorati Tags: saints, boondock, FUHreaking YES, entertainment

Perhaps it was appropriate that the prelude to the blockbuster season was fittingly a trip to NYC to attend the 2008 NYC Comic-Con and sit before those who creat

Let me start off by saying I’m a huge cynic when it comes to movies that are hyped up. Once people begin to rave about a film, I automatically search for the flaws. It’s my nature that stems from being let down so many times from a long awaited film that flopped and flipped before my eyes and caused me to count each second of my life that was wasted.

Perhaps it was appropriate that the prelude to the blockbuster season was fittingly a trip to NYC to attend the 2008 NYC Comic-Con and sit before those who created the geek genus: Dick Ayers, Nick Cardy, Irwin Hasen, Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert, Stan Lee, Jerry Robinson, John Romita, Sr, Joe Simon, Joe Sinnott and Mort Walker to name a few (you can view my footage here ).

ed the geek genus: Dick Ayers, Nick Cardy, Irwin Hasen, Carmine Infantino, Joe Kubert, Stan Lee, Jerry Robinson, John Romita, Sr, Joe Simon, Joe Sinnott and Mort Walker to name a few (you can view my footage here ).

Last weekend Iron Man left me excited, high energy and above all impressed. It was Marvels glove that was tossed in the ring with heavy hitter Batman Begins. They quickly erased the faux pas that was Hulk and replaced it with The Incredible Hulk. While The Incredible Hulk was a decent movie, it was still a light weight contender in comparison to Iron Man and Batman Begins.

Batman Begins changed near insulting comic book hero film adaptation and raised the bar. It was nice to know that the industry did take note and changed the class for good.

While I was all ready to assemble a butt kicking suit last weekend and take a stand against the bad guys, this weekend it’s quite a polar effect. It’s been three hours since I left The Dark Knight and I feel heavy hearted. Jerry Robinson, the claimed creator of the Joker, was consulted for the The Dark Knight so that the villian can get back to his original sociopath beginnings. They did it hauntingly well.

Once The Dark Knight began, every word that I’ve heard about this film, every promo, every heart wrenching reminder of Heath Ledgers passing, they all flew out of my head. It begins in a real world filled with real people with real agendas and real tragedy, or so that was my impression. It wasn’t painted pretty or glammed up for the viewer. It was a comic book legend being spilled into our familiar surroundings.

I had a been a fan of Batman through my entire existence and watched the evolution of the character through various platforms. Some had excited me and some disappointed me. I’m thankful the evolution didn’t end with Batman and Robin.

Christian Bale has been an actor who has grown on me over the years. I had questioned his talents (over hyped) when he first arrived on the scene; and many years later- he has yet to give a disappointing performance. He is the bat man. He is Bruce Wayne- he brought life back into a character that had become stale on screen.

Maggie Gyllenhaal also brought realism in her role as Rachel Dawes. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent was perfect casting. Gary Oldman rocks it again (omg I could go on and on about everyone) Heath Ledger regardless of his tragic ending gave a chilling, gritty and unforgettable portrayal of The Joker.

The story lines that intertwined were well written, well acted and blended together flawlessly.

It’s difficult to write a review without talking about *what* made a movie so great.

I guess I’ll have to end this the way I brought my film viewing experience to an end. I sat there respectfully through the credits to see all the wonderful names of each person who had a hand in making this movie as tears welled up in my eyes (for obvious reasons) and left in silence.

Thank you Christpher Nolan, once more.

1 more thing, there are no video games in the works (other than for mobile phones) THANK YOU!

Technorati Tags: batman, christian bale, christopher nolan, heath ledger, joker, dark knight, movies, entertainment

Two years I’ve waited anxiously for this day to come, ever since I saw the picture of Heath putting on the make-up. He looked gritty, psychotic, awesome!

By no means am I a film nerd, so my review of the film will more than likely be a little dumbed down and lacking intense details. It’ll be raw, excited and perhaps slightly ADHD.

Upon Heath’s passing I questioned how it would feel to see the haunting images on screen, especially with the controversal body bag scene they were rumoring that would be taken out. I didn’t know the man, but the tragedy hit me pretty hard (which is rare because I don’t really get emotional upon the passsing of someone I’ve never met). I am a film buff and felt he brought a new talent to a increasingly comedic and insulting industry. I  was actually looking forward to what he’d bring to world of film and it was sad to know that his talent could no longer be tapped and shared with the world.

Come tomorrow morning at this time I will be part of the opening weekend statistics, feeling excited, perhaps sorrowful, but definitely satiated because the first film caused me to gain respect once more for comic book world to transition onto the big screen. Many times I’ve felt they didn’t do the heroes justice, that the film makers made a mockery of the art. Batman Begins did it right and thankfully Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk followed in those steps and age regressed my passion for getting thrilled for a block buster hit once more.

Yes, this year I have become a hypocrite for seeing mainstream films in a theater, but I’m good with that.

Even with gas prices reaching a historical high, I have no desire to go out of my way or alter my life to get a “free” gas card. Maybe I would do something out of the norm for a hybrid or electric car (aside from saving up and buying one myself).

Reuters has become a greats source for showing me the kind of people we’re surrounded by. The exposure of societies mentality has me eyeing remote cabins in Montana.

Example, Southern Californians (no shock here) will drive to Mexico, wait in line for hours, causing supply issues with the Mexican gas stations, irritate locals and of course burn more fuel by their moronic little trip- just to convince themselves they’re saving money on gas.

A brothel in Nevada is giving away $50.00 gas cards to boost summer business. Of course you have to spend over $300.00. See this makes no sense to me. Why don’t they just either not go and stash the $300.00 away for gas or just get the $100.00 deal and save the rest for gas?

In December some poor baby will be named after a local radio host so that his father can get a $100.00 g.c.

If you go to the Red Cross to donate blood (which I feel people should do anyway if they’re able), then you can win a years supply of gas. Personally I think this last one is pretty good if you donate blood anyway.

What would YOU do for a “free” gas card? I guess it’s not much different than all the other promos people have had over the years. I *do* however want to use this to launch a special deal to SoCal people only. If you send me a brand new, never opened PS3, I will send you a “FREE” $50.00 gas card.

You’re really nice and try to break things off politely. You’ve done the good girl/guy approach and tried to hint at the break up because you’re discovering that the feelings are little more fragile than you’re accustomed to. They take it personally. The co-dependent, insecure service says it’ll shape up, it offers you more perks and a free month to keep you interested. Being human you give in and allow the service to extend another month.

The extension comes and goes and you’re confronted by the break up again.

Them “We’ll give you the limited service free for two months if you keep us… are you not happy with us?”

(First of all, they don’t make it very easy to find ways to cancel. You’re pretty much given a map with hieroglyphic clues and a two inch candle to see your way through the caves to make it through the maze that is Vonage.)

Me “I don’t know, I don’t really use you…  if you look at my history you’ll see I haven’t sent or received a call using your service in weeks… it’s not you… you’ve been great… I just feel closed in, I need the freedom to talk any where but next to my computer. I haven’t made the commitment to buy a cordless phone I could walk around to… well the other side of my apartment with… I prefer having my cell phone…”
Them “Yeah, but what if there’s an emergency and you can’t use your cell phone?!? Did you really think about that?”
Me “Yes… and the only emergency I can think of that would require a land line would be if the power went out- being as your service is computer reliant, it really doesn’t do me a lot of good. If my home is flooded… I’d need to make calls else where less I drown… if my home is on fire… I really would not want to sit around next to the computer or in a decent range of the phone base to call 911.”

Finally when they figured out I really did want to terminate service, they grew defensive on me and began to lie!
I read, according to the terms of the agreement to contact them before the debit date. I tried, they didn’t make it easy… I live on the West Coast, they run by EST hours and do not work past 4 PST or weekends (which is not noted in the terms of the contract).

The first time I disputed this, I was told that they charge in arrears.
Me: “If you charge in arrears, why did I receive a month free if I decided to stay on an additional month? I was told that I wouldn’t be charged. If that was the case, then why am I charged now for a month I was told would be credited?”
Them: “I dunno- they must have had it wrong. We charge you for services you already used. Period.”

I hung up because I was at work and didn’t want want to raise my voice too loudly… I couldn’t access the terms from work, so I had a friend go to the site and e-mail the one million and two pages of the agreement. It clearly stated “Dawn is correct, the idiot on the phone is wrong.”

I called back immediately to dispute, and once I mentioned the “Terms” that I had in front of me, they reversed the charges and let me finally break up once and for all.

Since the break up I’ve received several e-mails trying to get me back. I’m very thankful I never gave them my mobile number!

With recent events of getting my car totaled, whiplash, and trying to catch up on the seasons block busters- I feel like I’ve missed the world around me. The new(er) iPhone came out and I’ve even less interest than when it was first unveiled. The Dark Knight comes out TOMORROW and although I may not see it for another week- I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S HERE ALREADY! Gas prices are still high and I really felt the sting from filling up four vehicles in a few weeks time (my original car, the rental, the loaner car and then my awesome new to me Malibu), and I’ve spent the majority of the past month being zombified from pain killers and muscle relaxers (good times… good times).

I give a special Kudos to the original ars for his wonderful energy of keeping the posts coming and the articles interesting. You da man!

Hopefully we can get more of a team together so all the weight won’t fall on one person’s shoulders should a member wind up in the CAR ACCIDENT FROM HELL (okay, I was just rear ended while I was stopped- nothing went through the windshield, no blood loss and if my vehicle wasn’t 97′ Camry, the $4,300 repairs wouldn’t have caused it to be totaled). People call me melodramatic- and I’ve no clue why.

So keep reading on people… I’ve got to open my eyes a bit and see what’s going on out there that you *must* know, *must* have and *must* avoid at all cost.

Happy July,

Dawn

I’m not sure if I’d be able to purchase enough gas in advance on top of the membership fee to make it worth it, but for those who can, this might be worth looking into for themselves… or hell, this is the kind of gift that most would prefer over diamonds!

Other things to know:
IF you pay the $4.15 price per gallon and then the local prices drop, you are credited the difference. “If you pump fuel from a filling station for less than the lower end of the MyGallons range on that day, you will receive a credit, in gallons, to your account. Just as if you were using lower priced stations to save money before using MyGallons, you can save money by using lower priced stations with your MyGallons Card.”

If they had this ten years ago and I was a bajillionaire, then I could have purchased millions of gallons and I’d be set for LIFE! I’d be queen of gasoline… and then I’d be able to purchase an electric car!

People like me just enter the once in a blue moon contest for one of the gadgets and hopes for the best. If I don’t win (which is each and every freaking time), then I shrug it off and make due with what I have. (I super glued my cell phone to my laptop and taped an apple on it- Oh yeah baby, I’m happening.)

NEW YORK (Reuters ) – Know someone who loves gadgets and can’t wait to buy the newest model? Chances are you would describe them as assertive and a strong leader — and possibly arrogant, according a U.S. research.

An online study evaluating the characteristics of 25,000 American adults found avid technology consumers tended to score highly in personality traits such as leadership, dynamism and assertiveness — but low in modesty.

“A lot of previous research points to wealthy young males as early adopters of technology,” said Sarah Welch, lead researcher at Internet ad network firm Mindset Media that conducted the study in partnership with Nielsen Online.

“But this study tells us that there are characteristics beyond age and gender and income that are also extremely highly correlated with tech consumption,” she added.

The study looked at 20 personality traits or “mindsets” including openness, creativity, self esteem and spontaneity.

Respondents were rated on a scale of 1 through 5, with 1 representing those who demonstrated the least amount of a given mindset and 5 representing those who demonstrated the highest intensity of a mindset.

Those who scored a 5 in leadership were 68 percent more likely to have purchased three or more computers in the past two years, the study found.

Likewise, respondents who rated highly in assertiveness were 62 percent more likely to purchase a new cell phone when the newest model arrived on the market.

Although tech consumers don’t fit a typical demographic mold, the findings weren’t entirely surprising, Welch said.

“If you look at those with qualities of a modern leader, they’re often forward-facing and interested in what’s next,” she said.

“And those who are really assertive are the types to grab life by the horn, so it also makes sense that when they see something they want or like they go straight for it.”

Welch said the results could have implications for technology companies looking to attract a new set of consumers and even potentially impact the way such products are designed.

But the study also found that avid tech consumers were also likely to be low in modesty and may be perceived as conceited or arrogant by others.

Low levels of modesty also correlate with what Welch calls “badge-buying”, or a tendency to buy luxury brands.

“So there’s an element of pride in being able to have the latest and greatest, not just in the realm of technology, but in all other areas,” Welch said.

(Reporting by Lara Hertel; editing by Belinda Goldsmith)

I’m finding myself feeling initially more and more defeated after things like this happen, and then numb and indifferent. It doesn’t make me proud, but I feel exhausted, “Oh God, what now?” I’m one more incident away from becoming a vengeful ninja than a calm Buddha.

To go into my chrysalis state I popped in ‘Indigo Prophecy’ after I had visited the various game sites and read what gamers had to say about it. Over all the score was pretty high and the lowest rating were from people who wound up offended before completing the game. It does play out like a movie and brings back the love of those books we read when were younger where we got to pick our our path. One decision can change the outcome making a do-over worth it.

The simon-like movements (various color positions on the screen to mimic to assist in the mission) were annoying at first, “I pressed both of them at the same time! Damn my controller!” until I figured out how to outsmart it. Actually it wasn’t outsmarting it as much as figuring out it was forgiving (hint: if it calls for a double movement of the same color, only one will suffice). The story line is interesting as well as the characters.

You find yourself initially in a diner having just murdered someone and having no memory of it. Your first step is to get the hell out of there because there’s a cop in the diner and you’re covered in blood. The next piece is that you wind up being a detective (and you get to bounce between the two partners). You’re the murderer AND you get to solve the murder. What makes it interesting is that all parties are trying to figure out why, and solving the puzzles between all characters assist you in figuring out ‘why’.

The suspect is guilty although not completely, and it’s also your job to show the cops that it’s not a cut and dry homicide. There’s a supernatural force brewing beneath the surface that spans quite a few years.

Although I am 3/4 the way through, I can already give it a 9 for giving me a change of pace, likable characters, keeping my interest and turning me on to a new game. I’ve been such a naysayer to games thrown my way for the past year or so (with the exception of Soul Nomad and the World Eaters and Lego’s Star Wars 2), that it’s nice to enjoy game playing again.

Indigo Prophecy hit shelves a few years ago, but if you’re like me and it was released under your radar, go ahead and give it a shot. Once you make it past the ‘Hide and Seek’ level, you might find yourself hooked. Give it a shot if you like mysteries, thrillers and solving crimes. If you only shooting people, stealing stuff and blowing things up… this might not be the game for you, which is fine because I’m really only interested in games I’d like.

As I’m leaning towards the PS3, in the corner of my eye, I’ve noticed the Wii. A gaming platform I was initially against. It sounded like a poser system. “What serious gaming can you do on a Wii? Please tell me.” It seemed like there’d be a limitation of what you can do and it always seemed like a spendy novelty toy. My friends who boast how wonderful it is try to tell me “Well they have regular controllers you can use…” Yeah- but if there’s a shortness of games I’d find worthwhile, why should I bother getting a console that focuses on stupid games so I can throw in a few RPG’s or strategy games that would cause me to wonder why I purchased the Wii.

I poo-poo’ed it long enough and admittingly I’m starting now to take a second look because it is starting to look interesting, especially with the Wii Fit. I can’t really make it to a gym, I’m not completely motivated to work out at home- but put in some cool gadgets, an interactive gaming feel and I can go for it.

I’m surrounded by an Atari (anniversary edition- no cartridges ), a PSX, a PS2 and an Xbox… I need an upgrade and I need to focus on ONE (and no- no pc gaming for an option since I noticed my embarrassing graphics card residing in my tower- that I’m not willing to change out just yet).

As I’m sitting and thinking about the choices… along with confessional booth’s, please let me know your opinions (good/bad) on personal experiences with the Wii. My son, who has limited movement, would he be able to play the games at all without having to plug in a mundane controller? Of the three main ones out there- which is the best for the money and gaming experience? Help me take the first step in the latest console generation!

Technorati Tags: wii, nintendo, consoles, gaming

ROME (Reuters) – An Italian couple who were caught having sex in a church confessional box while morning Mass was being said have repented and made peace with the local bishop.

The couple, in their early 30s, were detained by police earlier this month after they had made love in the confessional box in the cathedral in northern Cesena. They were cautioned for obscene acts in public and disturbing a religious function.

Their lawyer said they had been drinking all night and realized they had gone too far.

The lawyer told the area’s local newspaper on Wednesday the couple met with the local bishop on Tuesday night, asked for his forgiveness and that he had given it.

Last week the bishop celebrated a “Mass of reparation” in the cathedral where the confessional box incident took place to make up for the sacrilege.

Technorati Tags: Italian couple caught in confessional booth, 101 things to do in a confessional booth

I forgot all about it by the time I made it home and then for some reason today it was triggered again. Thankfully in this modern age of course, nostalgia is just a click away and I found the following!

KISS on 3 2 1 Contact- How to make a KISS concert.

Technorati Tags: 3 2 1 Contact, Kiss, Rocking programming, PBS, bite me Dora

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Pluto, demoted from planet status in 2006, got a consolation prize on Wednesday — it and other dwarf planets like it will be called plutoids.

The International Astronomical Union said in a statement that its executive committee meeting in Oslo, Norway, decided on the term.

Plutoids will be defined as celestial bodies in orbit around the Sun farther away than Neptune. They must have near-spherical shape, and must not have swept up other, smaller objects in their orbits, said the organization, which names newly discovered planets and other celestial bodies.

The two known and named plutoids are Pluto and Eris, but astronomers expect to find more.

Another dwarf planet, Ceres, does not merit the plutoid designation because it is in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

(Reporting by Maggie Fox)

Technorati Tags: Pluto, plutoids, Mickey Mouse

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A million pieces of stainless steel toy parts assembled into a nearly seven-story model skyscraper glimmered under the hot sun in New York on Tuesday, in American artist Chris Burden’s latest project.

The 16,000-pound (7,250-kg) “poetic interpretation” of the 30 Rock Building at Rockefeller Center was made of replicated Erector set pieces from the toy created by A.C. Gilbert in 1912, Burden said.

“He was inspired by the buildings to build this toy system and I used this toy system to build a building,” Burden said.

“It’s a poetic interpretation of 30 Rock, it’s not a model of it. It references all the tall buildings in Manhattan,” Burden said, standing near his 65-foot (20-metre) tower.

The project, assembled by 20 to 30 people using screwdrivers, began in late 2006 and was put together in Los Angeles County and trucked across the country in two parts.

“It’s very reflective, sort of like a faceted jewel, really picks up the light,” Burden said.

The exhibit, titled “What my dad gave me,” will be on display through July 19 at Rockefeller Center.

Burden, who lives in Los Angeles, was born in Boston in 1946. He received attention as a performance artist in 1971 when he was shot in the arm for the sake of art in a performance called “Shoot.”

(Reporting by Marcy Nicholson; Editing by Daniel Trotta and Cynthia Osterman)

Technorati Tags: 30 Rock, Toy Skyscraper, NYC

Man stabs shoppers in Tokyo street, killing seven

By David Dolan

TOKYO (Reuters) – A man who said he was tired of life went on a stabbing rampage on Sunday in a crowded Tokyo shopping street, killing seven people and wounding a dozen others.

The man drove a rental truck into a crowd of pedestrians at lunchtime and then walked down the street knifing passers-by in Akihabara district, known for its discount electronics and maid cafes.

“I came to Akihabara to kill people,” Kyodo news agency quoted the attacker as telling police. “I am tired of the world. Anyone was OK. I came alone.”

A Tokyo police spokesman said at least seven people had been killed and 12 wounded.

“The man jumped on top of a man he had hit with his vehicle and stabbed him with a knife many times,” Kyodo quoted a 19-year-old witness as saying. “Walking toward Akihabara Station, he slashed nearby people at random.”

The dead were six men aged 19 to 74 and a 21-year-old woman, the news agency said.
The police said a man had been arrested, and television stations showed a slight, blood-splattered 25-year-old being herded into a police car.

Witnesses said the rampage was stopped when a policeman armed with a gun confronted the man, who NHK television said was shouting as he cut down his victims.

The street, usually crowded with tourists and locals seeking cheap gadgets, was cleared by police, who searched for evidence amid pools of blood.

“It’s pretty shocking, considering that I come here all the time,” a man told NHK.

The rampage came on the seventh anniversary of a massacre at a Japanese primary school, when a knife-wielding janitor and former mental patient killed eight schoolchildren. He was later executed for the killings.

Although Japan has relatively little violent crime, such high-profile cases have raised public concern about violence.

Shooting deaths remain rare in Japan, although there have been some recent cases involving “yakuza” criminal gangs.

As well as electronics, Akihabara has become known in recent years as a centre for Japan’s expansive “nerd” culture of video games, comic books and outlandish fashion — including street performers and cafes with waitresses dressed as French maids. (Editing by David Fogarty)

I might be a naysayer, but I’m also determined to break myself from the slaying that is nay (I guess that cancels out the nayishness of it). Tonight I went to good ol’ Reuters. When all else fails to grab your attention, scour through Reuters and you’re sure to find something. Maybe.

Listed under the most popular articles (Seriously?- the following is article worthy? It’s news? They’re actually reading it because it was unknown to them previously?)
1. Heavy marijuana use shrinks brain parts: study
2. Speed up bathing and save energy

Please don’t tell me I have to elaborate on either one of those articles.

Will tomorrow’s articles shed light by telling us:
1. If you don’t use your car, you will save gas
2. Lights, natural or artificial can help you see better
3. Eating less food helps in weight reduction
4. Having sex increases your chances of conception
5. Planning on taking a coast to coast trip this summer? Flying in an airplane instead of walking *could* reduce travel time significantly
6. Extensive UCLA studies show that people prefer sugar on cereal over salt

Oh I’ve got it, perhaps I should  submit some articles to assist society by telling them that getting a job will increase their income!

Helpful hints for the summer:
1. Staying in the shade can reduce sun damage
2. An airconditioner will cool down your dwelling more than an oven will
3. Students at UCLA are trying to solve the enigma of why residents of Nome, Alaska are less likely to suffer heat stroke unlike people in Death Valley, California.

With gas prices now over the four dollar mark (Road Warriors still plays in my head when I think about that).

Seth Sandler, you’re my new hero. With merely a cardboard box, tape, a piece of glass, paper and a webcam; he was able to create a Multi-Touch pad. His parents should be proud.

With the $10,000 you save, you can actually afford that tank of gas.

Fast forward to about ten minutes (or would this all be rewinding?) when I came across this article and photograph that I cut and zoomed. A tribe that has never seen an outsider/missionary/piece of litter from the outside world. 2008- the first time they’ve ever witnessed an aircraft… and they’re pointing arrows at it!

I really hope that will be the last time they see an outsider.

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Amazon Indians from one of the world’s last uncontacted tribes have been photographed from the air, with striking images released on Thursday showing them painted bright red and brandishing bows and arrows.

The photographs of the tribe near the border between Brazil and Peru are rare evidence that such groups exist. A Brazilian official involved in the expedition said many of them are in increasing danger from illegal logging.

“What is happening in this region is a monumental crime against the natural world, the tribes, the fauna and is further testimony to the complete irrationality with which we, the ‘civilized’ ones, treat the world,” Jose Carlos Meirelles was quoted as saying in a statement by the Survival International group.

One of the pictures, which can be seen on Survival International’s Web site (http://www.survival-international.org), shows two Indian men covered in bright red pigment poised to fire arrows at the aircraft while another Indian looks on.

Another photo shows about 15 Indians near thatched huts, some of them also preparing to fire arrows at the aircraft.

“The world needs to wake up to this, and ensure that their territory is protected in accordance with international law. Otherwise, they will soon be made extinct,” said Stephen Corry, the director of Survival International, which supports tribal people around the world.

Of more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, more than half live in either Brazil or Peru, Survival International says. It says all are in grave danger of being forced off their land, killed and ravaged by new diseases. See the photos here

There were a few issues I have ran across:

1. Adjusting the size still didn’t make the boxes legible
2. Clicking on “Full Screen” only took me to a site with the google ads. The game didn’t show up.

Regardless, it’s still uber fun to randomly click on the boxes, call your friends, wait for the vm prompt and the annoy them by showing them who’s the dark lord.

Enjoy!

I have to admit that when I saw this on E! Entertainment I thought it was a little weird, yet at the same time I was both curious and impressed.In this day and age where almost every minute and mile counts, why not take a virtual date before you go on the real thing? It’s a good way to test out the conversation, see if they virtually tip and you don’t have to waste precious make up for someone who can’t hold their own on the topics  you love. Personally I think I’m still far away from wanting to meet a new love interest but with a piqued interest I do want to sign up for an honest first hand impression to report back to those who are ready to test the waters of online dating. I wrote to the people at Omnidate to get a little more information on this new to me dating platform:

Get your own face bank

It’s hard to believe it’s Memorial Day Weekend. For the first time in the 6 years I’ve lived at my apartments the parking lot is full. The typical busy Saturday afternoon street beyond my patio is almost quiet, and went I tucked my tail  between my legs again and bought a weeks worth of groceries at ‘Grocery Outlet’ it was filled with people from all sorts of social classes who had the same look as I did, “Oh please let this not hurt at the register.”

The fast food chains had 1-2 cars in the drive-thru at high noon and I’m no longer drooling over the latest in high tech gadgets or video games. With gas at four dollars a gallon, Mad Max popping in my head and surviving a blood bath of layoffs where I work; I can’t help but wonder what’s ahead.

I was sitting on my chair outside, looking at the empty field across the street and I automatically graphed my city. One of the many things I loved about visiting Manhattan during these difficult financial times was that it’s set up to be a walking community. The on going joke of “Two blocks” because everything seems to be within two blocks of wherever you are. Although the streets were busied with traffic, there were even more people walking to their destinations.

I wish that my city could cure the pain of shopping by breaking the area into smaller sections. In a smaller city, things are spread out making it impossible to walk the distance from your home to the department store, pharmacy and grocery store. Renting the latest dvd has fallen off my list of priorities and I don’t really care to run out to the movie theater because the thought of sitting at a red light makes me cringe. Am I cheap? I’ve always been a moderate minimalist especially for being a self proclaimed geek. Now however, I have to truly look ahead and really stick to the bare minimum.

I’m curious though because all areas are different and the impact may not be as vivid as it is where I live- am I the only one who has come to a grinding halt in purchasing anything that isn’t food or fuel (typical bills)? Will the lifestyle change be temporary or are we on the verge of turning our communities into merchant stands in the streets and barter systems? Do I just have an over active imagination and things are really temporary and not as bad as I think??? Will I ever be able to justify buying another shiny new gadget????

BERLIN (Reuters) – German police pursuing a car thief through a dark forest turned rescuers when the man became cornered by a family of angry wild boar.

Officers caught the man’s passenger after the pair rammed into a squad car on a cross-country chase and leapt from the stolen Opel, police in the eastern city of Schwerin said.

But they initially lost track of the 18-year-old driver during the night-time pursuit when he fled deep into the forest.

“Then he ran into the family of boars, and the head of the family squared up to him,” a police spokesman said on Friday. “So he stood there, put his hands up, and called for help.”

Officers rescued the man from the boars, then arrested him.

(Reporting by Dave Graham)

… and they wonder why we call them pigs.