So for all those out there that wanted me to change up my icon ONE MORE TIME… Welcome to The Diatribe, where no gnews is good gnews from LTJ-Gnu.
Archive for April, 2006
No Gnews is Good Gnews
April 26th, 2006Enjoying the HD
April 24th, 2006It’s been just about a year since Miss Possible and I started living a life of High Definition. And what I mean by that is that it’s been just about a year (when we moved here to New Jersey) that we started using our HD TV. In that time we’ve certainly enjoyed the regular television shows that are broadcast ih High Def (CSI and Las Vegas are two that come across pretty nice), but also you really can’t beat it for Sporting events. The 1080i quality is amazing.
This past weekend, however, our HD experience increased dramatically with a new discovery. Since we moved in, we’d watch shows on the “inHD” channel that would constantly have ads and trailers for shows on “inHD2″ — including iMax documentaries, live music events, etc. A few weeks back I actually called my cable company to find out of inHD2 was available — and they said they had no idea what I was talking about. Go figure.
Well, this weekend, while poking through live television looking for something to watch, we found the inHD2 channel (it was named IOHD for some reason). This has changed our lives. Watching it last night was truly an amazing experience. With the high quality Dolby Surround Sound and the great High Def video, we were enthralled. Last night’s “In HD to the Max” presentation were two shows: Adventures in California and Ocean Oasis.
These shows were truly amazing, and there were several times that MP and I would look at eachother and say “Is that real??” It was so hard to tell, because the picture was so incredibly crystal clear. This has really changed our viewing experience and options, and are looking forward to tomorrow’s presentation ( “Island Retreats: St. Barth’s”) and Friday’s “The History of 3-D.”
Bring on the summer of repeat television — we’ve got HD.
Star Wars getting Arrested
April 22nd, 2006I know this is brief.. but this is what happens when Arrested Development meets Star Wars. Thank you Chase Black.
Breaking News: President invents iPod
April 20th, 2006According to a news story on Engadget, President Bush is claiming that government research in data storage, signal compression and electrochemistry helped fuel the development of the iPod.
Right.
Akeelah
April 20th, 2006If you’ve been to a Starbucks anywhere in the country latley, you’ll have more than likely noticed all of the strange green signs with various words written on them. My first few times I was there, I was completely baffled as to the reasoning or what this was. I didn’t actually think to ask anyone, but later realized that it was their way of marketing a movie entitled “Akeelah and the bee” which I had mixed feelings about.
I never really felt that compelled to write about it, until I read Joseph Jaffe’s Post about his take on this campaign from a marketing perspective. I have to completely agree with his arguments, and I think that Starbucks has done a poor job of marketing this campaign.
First off, let me say that when I originally saw the pile of vocabulary words on my table, I was outraged. At first, I had thought that Starbucks was trying to single-handedly improve the vocabulary of the average American and was trying to make a statement. I only later realized that they were trying to promote some sort of film, and began to calm down a little.
The problem with their marketing campaign, though, is that I have been to Starbucks probably five or six times since this campaign launched, and it took at least four times to realize what it was trying to promote. And even now, besides being Spelling Bee related, I don’t know much more about the movie.
So while it has cluttered up your local Starbucks with various green signs and vocabulary words, I really don’t think I could consider this a very successful campaign on their part. Just my two cents.
Blak
April 18th, 2006
I’ve heard about this product for quite some time, and thought that it was an interesting concept. Coca Cola Blak is the fusion of Coca Cola and Coffee (or Coffee-flavored Coke if you prefer). At first thought, you might be like “eewww, disgusting.” But, after thinking about it — the two flavors could go hand in hand. I’ve been anxious to try it ever since I first heard about it.
Today, when I was out to lunch picking up my salad from the PATH deli in JSQ, I found that next to the cans of Red Bull they had small bottles of Coca Cola Blak. I had to buy one. Approximately 8 fluid ounces (very small bottle) and $1.99 — I wouldn’t recommend it just based on the sheer price per ounce ratio.
Upon opening it, however, I felt confused. At first there’s a very sweet taste of coke, followed by a fizz, and then a very subtle black-coffee finish. Very strange. I liked it at first.. but halfway through the bottle (and I’m glad it was so small, now) I’m starting to get sick of the taste. I think it’s the sweetness. But, it’s basically like really sugary, carbonated black coffee.
In a nutshell, it might be worth the $2 to check it out.. but as a regular purchase — I’d have to recommend against it. Sorry Coke.
Religions
April 17th, 2006This past week has been a busy week for most folks with their individual religious holidays. I found a very interesting map courtesy of BoingBoing which shows the prevalence of each of the major religions throughout the United States.
Just thought it was interesting and felt like sharing.
