Kurt's Thoughts

If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a good part of the holiday catching up on the movies & TV that… well… you wish you had the time & energy for during the rest of the year.  This season, I got the chance to hunker down on my DVD collection, Netflix, and Xbox Live Video and start viewing away.  Yay! 

Here’s what I’ve hit up so far:

• Indie Game: The Movie
  ‘Indie Game: The Movie’ is the Sundance Award Winning Feature documentary about Video Game Designers. Indie Game: The Movie is the first feature documentary film about making video games. It looks specifically at the underdogs of the video game industry, indie game developers, who sacrifice money, health and sanity to realize their lifelong dreams of sharing their visions with the world. After two years of painstaking work, designer Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes await the release of their first major game for Xbox, Super Meat Boy-the adventures of a skinless boy in search of his girlfriend, who is made of bandages. At PAX, a major video-game expo, developer Phil Fish unveils his highly anticipated, four-years-in-the-making FEZ. Jonathan Blow considers beginning a new game after creating Braid, one of the highest-rated games of all time. Four developers, three games, and one ultimate goal- to express oneself through a video game. Indie Game: The Movie is about the creative process and putting yourself out there through your work. It’s a journey many filmmakers, creators, artists, entrepreneurs – many people, can relate to in the digital era.

• Jiro Dreams of Sushi
  Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious three-star Michelin Guide rating, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a thoughtful and elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection, chronicling Jiro’s life as both an unparalleled success in the culinary world and as a loving yet complicated father.

• Trek Nation
  The documentary “Trek Nation” explores “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision and its impact on viewers’ lives through the eyes of his son Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, Jr., who is on a quest to know his father whom he lost at age 17.

• The Captains
  Since first soaring onto television screens in the 1960s, Star Trek has become one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Now, the original Captain Kirk, William Shatner, travels around the globe to interview the elite group of actors (Chris Pine, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew and Scott Bakula) who have portrayed the role of Starship Captain, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the pop culture phenomenon as well as the men and women who made it so.

• Holy Rollers: The True Story Of Card Counting Christians
  Holy Rollers follows the rise of arguably the largest and most well-funded blackjack team in America-made up entirely of churchgoing Christians. While they succeed in taking millions from casinos, how will they manage to find a place for faith and God in the arena of high stakes gambling?

• Breaking Vegas
  Do you dream about beating the odds? Then check out this fascinating documentary focusing on a group of six M.I.T. students who used their impressive math skills to win millions from Las Vegas’ gambling palaces. Through interviews with the card-counting collegians, security experts, and casino executives, you’ll learn how the young men pulled off the daring feat–and how they were eventually caught. Based on the best-selling book “Bringing Down the House.” 75 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; bonus programs.

• Dogs Decoded
  Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family and feel that they can understand us in a way other animals can’t. Now new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. Humans in turn respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs so closely related to fearsome wild wolves behave so differently? It’s all in the genes. DOGS DECODED investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs-with big implications for the evolution of human culture as well. In Siberia the mystery of dogs’ domestication is being repeated-in foxes. A fifty-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature a tame fox with some surprising similarities to Man’s Best Friend. THE DOGS DECODED reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs.

• 2016: Obama’s America
  Immersed in exotic locales across four continents, best selling author Dinesh D’Souza races against time to find answers to Obama’s past and reveal where America will be in 2016. During this journey he discovers how Hope and Change became radically misunderstood, and identifies new flashpoints for hot wars in mankind’s greatest struggle. The journey moves quickly over the arc of the old colonial empires, into America’s empire of liberty, and we see the unfolding realignment of nations and the shape of the global future.

• We Are Legion: The Story of the Hackitivists
  We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists takes us inside the world of Anonymous, the radical “hacktivist” collective that has redefined civil disobedience for the digital age. The film explores the historical roots of early hacktivist groups like Cult of the Dead Cow and Electronic Disturbance Theater, then moves to Anonymous’ raucous and unruly beginnings in the online forum 4Chan. Through interviews with current members, members recently returned from prison, others currently facing trial, writers, activists and major players in various “raids,” WE ARE LEGION: The Story of the Hacktivists traces the collective’s evolution from merry pranksters to a full-blown movement with a global reach, the most transformative civil disobedience of our time.

• Beyond the Myth
  ”Unfairly known as violent killers, Pit Bulls have suffered from the stigma of negative media coverage that has lead to city-wide bans across the country. This breed-specific legislation has torn pets away from families, and killed thousands of innocent dogs across the country. Stripping away the preconceptions to show the loving companions they can be, Beyond the Myth is an important, must see film for all dog lovers.”

• Shelter Dogs
  Each year, almost 5 million dogs end up in animal shelters – but not every dog is safe to place with a family. What if a shelter dog shows aggression, or is a known biter – should he be adopted out? For two years filmmaker Cynthia Wade was given unprecedented access to Rondout Valley Kennels and its controversial owner Sue Sternberg, and the result is an award-winning film about ethics in a morally ambiguous world.

• Get A Life!
  Based on William Shatner’s hugely popular book (in response to his infamous “Saturday Night Live” skit), this hourlong documentary looks at the mystery, longevity and cultural phenomena of “Star Trek” and its obsessed fans known as “Trekkers.”

• Dealing Dogs
  Each year, 42,000 dogs are sold to veterinary schools and research labs by Class B dealers, who are required by federal law to buy the animals from pounds, shelters and small breeders and to treat them humanely. However, many Class B dealers violate the law. DEALING DOGS exposes the abuses that took place at one of America’s most notorious Class B dealers – Martin Creek Kennel in Arkansas.

• Patriocracy
  Patriocracy, a voice of reason in the age of polarization. Patriocracy is a non-partisan examination of Washington dysfunction. Alan Simpson, Bob Schieffer, Eleanor Clift, Pat Buchanan, Senator Mark Warner and Senator Kent Conrad are just a few of the notable Washington personalities who offer their valuable perspectives. Patriocracy drills down and illustrates the forces that drive a wedge into the middle ground of America and the solutions required to move forward.

• Homecoming
  The word orphan is troubling to most of us. It’s one of those words that instantly evokes visions of dastardly headmasters and wicked headmistresses. We imagine scenes of defenseless children grappling indelible scars of loneliness and abandonment, molding them into unfortunate victims of fate and neglect. These are fair preconceptions that are not without basis in the American experience. But there is another side to the story… Homecoming unfolds as a conversation between 15 men and women who grew up in four American orphanages. Their stories echo the experience of thousands of men and women, throughout the country, and around the world. In these intimate, moving and sometimes hilarious stories, the incredible resilience of humankind shines through in vivid relief. Ultimately what remains is a picture of the remarkable strength of those who found a family in the most unlikely of places.

Here’s a checklist of things to do upon arriving into McCarron International:

1. TAXI 
   Don’t get longhauled.  Clearly utter the words, “SHORTEST DISTANCE – TAKE PARADISE” to your cabbie.  Unless you’re going downtown, there’s no scenario in which you should be “taking the freeway”.  If you find yourself going through a tunnel – you are being what is called “longhauled” or intentionally taken for a longer ride that you should.  This will make the ride cost $10 more than it should.  This is ILLEGAL.  If this happens, get the cab number, the driver name, the cabbie’s permit #, the cab company, license plate if possible, and the general look of the cab… then report it here:
   http://taxi.nv.gov/Complaints/Complaints/
2. HOTEL:  REGISTRATION
   Before you get to the registration desk, be sure to have your driver’s license, your credit card, and a $20 bill to tip the front desk clerk.  Fold the $20 into 4ths and place it in between your driver’s license & credit card and hand it to the clerk and ask to check in.  If you don’t know why you’re doing this, visit http://frontdesktip.com.
3. HOTEL:  ROOM SETUP
   If you have a Purell wipe, take one & wipe down the TV remote – this is the #1 most germ/bacteria ridden item in the room.  Next, wipe down the phone handset, the clock radio, the thermostat, & RJ-45 cabling for the wired Internet connection if you’ve got one.  You don’t want to know what’s been discovered on these items in hotel rooms & remember:  Across the thousands of guests that pass through your room, these items are NEVER cleaned or wiped down.  It’s up to you to stay healthy for the next 5 days.
4. HOTEL:  REQUEST HUMIDIFIER
   I hope you arrived early.  If you did, you may have a shot of requesting a humidifier for your room.  Do it immediately:  Vegas during CES is DRY AS A BONE.  This will not only make your stay much more comfortable, it will keep your skin from getting itchy & will keep the static electricity in your room to a minimum.
5. HOTEL:  BEDSPREAD & CHAIRS
   This is going to sound paranoid but if you think about it for just a moment, it’ll start to sink in:  Ask the front desk for a new bedspread.  Spill some water on it or some soda if you have to.  Then lay a towel over the desk seat.  Why?  The bedspread is RARELY CLEANED.  You are using the same bedspread that was used by over 2 months worth of occupants.  And you can bet most weren’t wearing clothing.  Now think about all those same guys sitting in the desk chair… with no pants on.  Yes.  Let that sink in.  Now go get a damned towel & cover the seat with it.
6. HOTEL:  LEAVE HOUSEKEEPING A TIP
   Leave a tip with a note stating that the money’s for the housekeeping staff.  They appreciate this & if you ever need something – extra towels, sheets, pillows – that tip will go along way to making sure it gets delivered within this lifetime.  If you have the same housekeeper coming through every morning, it can’t hurt.
7. FIND THE HOTEL CES SHUTTLE PICKUP/DROPOFF
   Determine the location of the CES shuttle for you to use in the morning.  Find out when they start & end – because they don’t run all day.  Also find out if they’re running on Monday so you can pick up your badge if necessary.  Badge pickup is WAY in the back of South Hall I’m afraid and is more than a quarter mile walk so.

UPDATE 1/5/12:
Interesting.  Asking Quora about Google’s evilness produces are number of good points.

1. https://www.quora.com/What-are-examples-of-Googles-evil-behavior
2. https://www.quora.com/Google/Is-Google-being-Anti-Competitive

———————
ORIGINAL POST:

This is a great summary of how much of a ridiculous pass Google gets in the public & the media.  Remember that all of these quotes were said publicly:

“The Top Ten Things We Can’t Believe Eric Schmidt Ever Said”
Sam Biddle, Gizmodo – Jan. 21, 2011, 8:38 AM

Eric—it’s been great. We’re going to miss you as CEO of one of history’s most important and influential companies. But we’ll also miss you for the strange, creepy, absurd, and downright dumb things you’ve uttered. Below, our favorites:

1. “One person’s definition of evil is another person’s different definition.”
2. “One day we had a conversation where we figured we could just try and predict the stock market… and then we decided it was illegal. So we stopped doing that.”
3. “More and more searches are done on your behalf without you needing to type. I actually think most people don’t want Google to answer their questions…They want Google to tell them what they should be doing next.”
   …

(Read the other 7 quotes at:  http://read.bi/hlVkCA)

… and the crazy part is that my favorite jawdropper didn’t even make the list:

• “If you have something that you don’t want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it in the first place.”
  – Eric Schmidt, CEO Google

(This one did in fact catch fire requiring Google to effectively issue a retraction.)

For your reference, apparently, I’m not the only one that thinks so:

1. GIZMODO:  Google’s Broken Promise: The End of “Don’t Be Evil
   http://gizmodo.com/5878987/its-official-google-is-evil-now
2. WIRED:  Google is Evil
   http://www.wired.com/business/2012/06/opinion-google-is-evil/
3. MAIN STREET:  Is Google Evil? 12 Incriminating Facts
   http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/smart-spending/technology/google-evil-12-incriminating-facts
4. GAWKER: Google Under Investigation for Being Evil
   http://gawker.com/5814891/google-under-investigation-for-being-evil
5. HUFFINGTON POST: Google Goes “Evil”
   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-green/breaking-google-goes-evil_b_676021.html
6. BUSINESS INSIDER: Google Is Now Officially Evil
   http://www.businessinsider.com/google-is-now-officially-evil-2010-9
7. AD WORDS, EVIL, AND GOOGLE HUBRIS:  The Evil Google Does
   http://www.googlehubris.com/
8. SEARCH AND DESTROY:  Why You Can’t Trust Google Inc.
   http://searchanddestroybook.com/

I have a Kindle 3G.  Y’know – the one with the keyboard?  Been using it for a few years now & it’s treated me well, despite reading it in the hot blazing sun of Las Vegas… bringing it with me into the pool (in a waterproof Kindle holder, mind you)… and travelling all around the globe with it.  But recently, I haven’t had time for it.  I’ve spent most of my reading time on my Microsoft Surface or my HTC Windows Phone 8X, both of which have the Kindle app on them so using the Kindle 3G really isn’t necessary for 90% of what I need to do.

So of course I lost track of it.  I really didn’t know where it was… it’d been THAT long since I used it.  Just yesterday, I started looking for it and lo-and-behold, it was behind my nightstand here it’d fallen after having been used for bedtime reading for quite a while.  Completely drained of battery, I plugged it into my MicroUSB charging clock radio (it has a slot at the top with cables for charging USB peripherals) and of course it came up.  10 minutes later it’d downloaded all the books that I’d had queued up for delivery and away we go.

Then it suddenly froze.  The GREEN/YELLOW charging light wouldn’t turn off.  I have a suspicion this had something to do with the pending remote Software Update that Amazon pushed (which after this ordeal occurred without me knowing) but I can’t be certain.  The Software Update that I’m referring to provided New Reading Font, Parental Controls, Kindle Format 8, Comic Book/Children’s Picture Book Support, Enhanced Table/Image Viewing, Whispersync for Voice support,

Anyway, to get it out of this frozen state, I had to do the following:

1. Hold the power switch to the right for 20 seconds.  Release.
2. Press the Home button for 60 seconds.  A “Reset” screen will appear.
3. Hit the DEL key on the keyboard.  This brought my unit back to a stable state, as if I’d done a reboot or a soft reset of the device.
4. I’m told that if this doesn’t work, you have to do a hard reset of the device, which is the equivalent of wiping & resetting your Kindle.  This procedure will wipe out all your books and require you to re-download them to your Kindle which, while not disastrous, will take time.  It will also lose your bookmarks & settings.
   To do a hard reset, type the word “reset” in the above screen after following step 1.  Warning:  There’s no turning back from this once you type the entire word in and there’s no “Are you sure?”

I’d point to the place where I found this information but I can’t for the life of me find it again.  Kudos to whomever it was that documented this originally & I apologize for not cross-posting to you.  Your article was indeed helpful.

The other day, Lola from Lola Couture created a memorial photo for my beloved dog Sheepa, who passed away about 1 year ago.

The dog in the photo isn’t of course of Sheepa.  It’s simply a photo memorializing Sheepa though Lola’s fashions for dogs featuring a potential adoptee from Save-a-Life Rescue… the organization I used to volunteer for for many years. 

Here’s a photo of Sheepa.  As you can see, it’s really hard to not smile when a face like this comes by the couch.  He looked like a living muppet:

Even when lounging, the guy was just awesomely friendly and just a wonderful dog.

And I miss him.

Apparently, Fatburger acquired a restaurant chain from Atlanta called “Buffalo’s Café”.  They specifically offer buffalo wings.  And if they’re anywhere near Buffalo Wild Wings?  Best.  News.  Ever.  Why?  THERE’S ONE OPENING IN WESTWOOD.   It’s on the site of an old Yoshinoya (good riddance) and I think this is the address:

Buffalo’s Cafe
11090 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
http://buffaloscafe.com/

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG…
My favorite food in the world is buffalo wings & blue cheese, and celery.  And beer to wash it down.  Until now, I had to drive to the Buffalo Wild Wings in Hollywood which has the BEST wings in the galaxy – hands down.   (And the worst?  Hooter’s.  Damn, are they godawful.  I wouldn’t subject my colon to their cuisine if I was starving.)

I’m not a frequent visitor to Fatburger… however, if this Buffalo’s Café is even half as good as Buffalo Wild Wings… nomnomnom.  Every week.  Here’s the photo on their front page:

Here’s the press release:

Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., parent to the Fatburger chain, has acquired the 26-unit, casual-dining chicken wing chain Buffalo’s Café, one of several new concepts the group plans to add to its franchise portfolio.

Andrew Wiederhorn, Fog Cutter’s chairman and chief executive, said the move would allow the group’s franchise development subsidiary to offer a new concept to its base of existing brands, both domestically and internationally.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Fog Cutter subsidiary will operate Buffalo’s Café as an all-franchised brand under Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts Inc.

Based in Atlanta, Buffalo’s Café was founded in 1985 and specializes in Buffalo-style chicken wings and tenders, as well as salads, wraps, burgers, ribs and other American classics.

Yup.  As sent to me by others.

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday’.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!
If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.

http://oktosaychristmas.com/

It’s nice that you guys at Yelp appreciate the tile-layout of Windows Phone & Windows 8.  (Complete with in-tile imagery & text-over-translucent backgrounds… apparently renamed “Mosaic” view)

Given that you guys like the Windows Phone style so much, would you care to let us know when there’ll be a reasonably useful Windows Phone client that exceeds the capability of the Yelp web page?  Location services is nice but c’mon guys, really?   No login.  No mobile reviews.  No checking in.  No uploading of photos.  No account history.  No “FUC” ratings.  No threaded discussions.  No messaging.  FourSquare, Facebook, & Urban Spoon apps all beat the crap out of your WP app and they aren’t even that great!

Here’s a snapshot of Yelp’s last 6 reviews as of 11/25/12:  

There’s 1169 reviews right now, and the average review is a 2.5 stars out of 5.  That means that more than ~550 people rated the app EQUAL OR LESS THAN 2 1/2 STARS.  I’ve never seen a major brand have such a low score for their app on Windows Phone. 

Here’s a short listing of apps that have a better score than Yelp for Windows Phone:

• RedBox Locator – Find a RedBox rental machine –> 3 1/2 STARS
  http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/redbox-locator/023fd257-e6f7-4feb-8324-69983535dd57
• WHERE– City Guide & Mapping App –> 3 STARS
  http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/where/1ed8f1dc-73d5-df11-a844-00237de2db9e
• Cloud Nine – Casinos, Bars & Adult Entertainment locator –> 5 STARS
  http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/cloud-nine/239482d6-689d-4bba-a01e-be38c6c73f30

And while I’m dreaming… a Windows 8 app would be nice too for us Windows tablet users, yes?

In celebration of the 38-28 UCLA win over USC, the UCLA Store/Bearwear has its 5% discount per touchdown offer. (25% max)  Since we scored 5 touchdowns… we get the max 25% discount, but TODAY ONLY!  (11/19/12)

INSTRUCTIONS:
To take advantage of the discount, go down to the Student Store today with your game day ticket… or shop online using the coupon code “SCOREBIG” when you go to http://shop.uclastore.com/.

Here’s the discount announcement: 
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151149328890835&set=a.98340885834.90622.97850775834&type=1

For posterity.  And for Jim Mora.

We endured  the rain & constant playing of “Tusk” & “Tribute to Troy”.

Sweet revenge on a team that did NOT expect us to show up.

$5 program drenched with rain water from the downpour.  And for once, I saved my souvenir cup.  This was *almost* the most fun I’ve ever had soaking wet.

Having actually been in a live studio audience taping of “The Big Bang Theory”, I can tell you that THIS DOESN’T SURPRISE ME IN THE LEAST.  That show is fun fun fun to watch in any capacity.

I only wish I was at this taping.

Someone needs to recognize & respect…  NOW.  Y’all did it for “The Family Guy”.  You can do it for Firefly too.  I’m sorry but I have to say the quote one more time:

“We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty.”

TGDAILY:
Firefly finally a ratings winner
Posted on November 14, 2012 – 22:49 by David Konow

Time has proven to be the best friend of Firefly, which wasn’t exactly considered a hit show when it first aired ten years ago, but it’s obviously managed to attract a very strong cult following today.

So strong in fact that now Firefly is finally a big ratings winner a decade after the show went dark.

As Firefly fans know, on November 11, the Science Channel ran the special Firefly: Browncoats United, and they also played the series leading up to the special. As the Hollywood Reporter confirms, the special brought in 1.2 million viewers and was also the Science Channel’s most-watched Sunday night program among people ages 25-54.

…

There’s a LOT more article to read so go here:

• TGDAILY: “Firefly finally a ratings winner”
  http://www.tgdaily.com/entertainment/67481-firefly-finally-a-ratings-winner 

You know you receive way too many boxes from online purchase deliveries when your 3-year-old does this out-of-the-blue.

I walked up to the refrigerator the other day & was like, “Wait, WTF? HONNNEEEEY? Did you teach him this? No? Okay, come check this out: Look at what he spelled out on the fridge.”

<insert family laughter here>

Yeah, I can vouch that Surface can both ‘flip in the air’ and take a hit as well.

The band geek in me just swooned at this set.  Good job, Bows.

I love this video so much, I’m posting it here for posterity.

My wife didn’t understand me when I made a remark about distinguishing between ‘Tier 1’ and ‘Tier 2’ candy.

I suspect she will make an excellent trading partner next year.

Admittedly since it released, this is what I secretly think of every time I hear someone mention Nokia’s flagship Windows Phone.

During the COMDEX days, the conference was always scheduled right over my birthday.  Frankly, no one I knew really went to COMDEX so I always went alone simply to work in the booths as a demo geek.

On my birthday, I used to check out of my booth at the show, then go to the Las Vegas Hilton next door to drink at a bar called “Quark’s Bar”, a real restaurant/bar located at the “Star Trek Experience” on the floor level.  Folks would come by dressed as Klingons, Ferengi, Vulcans, etc.  and you’d sit back and drink Star Trek themed cocktails.

Frankly, it was a geek’s home away from home.  No, trekkie/trekker (the term used to describe a devout follower depends on how insanely committed you are the the Trek universe) could visit Las Vegas without visiting “the mothership”, so to speak.

But now it’s gone.  The whole Star Trek area was torn down.  Even the Hilton itself has now been renamed to just LVH, having lost their license to the Hilton brand.  [tear drop]

If you’ve ever been there, you know that one of the celebrated drinks there was something called the “Warp Core Breach”.  It was an insanely large concoction designed for multiple people to drink that featured dry ice that overflowed the bowl it was served it… not unlike an actual warp core. 

Well, I just so happen to have the recipe, so here it is for those of you that want to reminisce of a special, possibly better, time:

WARP CORE BREACH
(To be served in a big globe-type bowl for 2 or more people)

• 3 ounces – White rum
• 2 ounces – Lemon rum
• 1 1/2 ounces – Spiced rum
• 1 1/2 ounces – Dark rum
• 1 1/2 ounces – Razzmatazz
• 1 1/2 ounces – Bacardi 151 rum
• 30 ounces of any juice (commonly cranberry)
• Dry ice & cubed ice

Place a chip of dry ice in the big bowl for smoky effect.  Combine all 10 ounces of rum in a large glass separate from the bowl.  Pour fruit juice into the big bowl.  Add cubed ice. (2 or 3 large scoops)  Mix in rum combination.  Stir.

I miss you Quark’s Bar.

Every year like clockwork, we see the same “Death of Microsoft” articles coming out of the media & the blogosphere.

Why? 

It generates hits, sells ads, & it appeases the egos of of certain narcissists. 

• 2001:  “Microsoft Waltzes The Next Step In The Dance Of Death (Avoidance)”  http://www.macobserver.com/columns/thebackpage/2001/20010810.shtml
• 2003:  “Microsoft is dying slowly”
  http://skatterbrainz.com/2007/04/16/microsoft-is-dying-slowly/
• 2004:  “Microsoft Is Dead. Long Live Microsoft.”
  https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/opinion/microsoft-is-dead-long-live-microsoft.html
• 2005:  “R.I.P. Microsoft” http://abcnews.go.com/Business/SiliconInsider/Story?id=508399&page=1
• 2006:  “The Microsoft malaise: Eight signs that the software giant is dead in the water”
  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/eight-signs-microsoft-is-dead-in-the-water
• 2007:  “Microsoft is dead” 
  http://www.paulgraham.com/microsoft.html
• 2008:  “Are we looking at the death of Microsoft Windows?” http://webtrends.about.com/b/2008/04/11/are-we-looking-at-the-death-of-microsoft-windows.htm
• 2008:  “Is the Cloud the End of Microsoft?”
  http://www.dashboardinsight.com/news/news-articles/is-the-cloud-the-end-of-microsoft.aspx
• 2009:  “Microsoft is dying”  http://distorted-loop.com/2009/07/24/microsoft-is-dying/
• 2009:  “Microsoft is doomed.”  http://blogs.computerworld.com/microsoft_is_doomed_again
• 2011:  “Is Microsoft dying?”  http://www.aiim.org/community/blogs/expert/Is-Microsoft-Dying
• 2011:  “Microsoft-Watchers See A Company In Decline” http://www.informationweek.com/byte/microsoft-watchers-see-a-company-in-decl/231002608

And every few years we get another ad-revenue generating, attention-getting reason why Microsoft is going down in flames:

• First, it was Macintosh & the GUI.
• Then, it was Netscape and the “browser OS”.
• Then it was Java, “write once, run anywhere”, and the Java OS.
• Then it was Thin clients & “the end of the fat desktop”.
• Then it was the DOJ & “the breakup of the monopoly”.
• Then it was Linux/OSS & “the death of proprietary software”.
• Then it was VDI & “the return to mainframe computing”.
• Then it was HTML5 & “web-based applications”. 

… and this season it’s the “post PC era” & the emergence of Consumerization of IT (COIT) solutions that will displace Microsoft everywhere.

With all that being said, look what that clown Marc Benioff is mouthing off about now in 2012:

• NEWS: Salesforce.com CEO predicts Windows 8 will be “the end” for the OS
  http://www.neowin.net/news/salesforcecom-ceo-predicts-windows-8-will-be-the-end-for-the-os

Being a Larry Ellison disciple, I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Assuming I know nothing about my audience’s interests, here’s some stuff I’ve thought about demoing, with no regard to flow or anything… just standout capabilities:

(Again, this is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER.)

1. I’ll login with Picture Password. [CUSTOM LOGIN SCREEN]
2. I’ll show the music service & how you can “pick any song… guess what? You can play it… for free.  Over 30M songs.  No fee.”  [XBOX MUSIC]
3. I’ll demo the Start screen interface – and in particular show them how the Live Tiles have rich animated information, & apps can have secondary tiles.  Stocks –> MSFT.  People –> Steve Ballmer.  Music –> Eminem.  Also tiles can be rearranged in any way they like them, how I can name app groups, and how new apps can be added to the screen or hidden using App Search.  [START SCREEN]
4. I’ll take the content from the photo app & share it with Twitter, FB, or eMail. [SHARE]
5. I’ll take MSFT from the Stocks app and post it as it’s own tile on the START screen. [SECONDARY TILE]
6. I’ll break out the keyboard.  I snap it on & demonstrate how it deactivates when folded behind.  Then I lay the scissor-switch keyboard on the table, fold out the kickstand, and prop up the Surface like a laptop using this new keyboard.  Then I grab the keyboard and shake it vigorously while Surface dangles from the magnetic latch.  [TOUCH & TYPE COVER]
7. I’ll show them how I can control the mouse with the touch pad at the base just as I would my finger via touch.  Then I’d plug in a mouse.  [TOUCH PAD/MOUSE PRECISION]
8. I’ll open the VPN client which is integrated into the OS for Cisco, Juniper, MS VPN, etc. and use a RSA USB fob for authentication. [USB DEVICES]
9. I’ll connect to a VDI session, which in it of itself isn’t unique however unlike every other platform, there is no VDA license subscription ($100/yr) or CSL ($TBA) required for Surface RT & Windows RT-based devices to use VDI.  [VDA RIGHTS]
10. I’ll open up Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & OneNote.  And show how I sync our family’s grocery shopping list between my wife’s phone, my phone, and my Surface.  [OFFICE]
11. I’ll reveal the Windows desktop.  Show how it provides a familiar file management paradigm as well as the traditional Windows Interface.

    ** FOR SURFACE PRO ONLY
    Show how it’s 100% compatible with previous Windows 7 applications & devices. [COMPATIBILITY]

12. I’ll open Internet Explorer 10 and show ESPN.COM and all the Adobe Flash video & content on there from the browser. [FLASH SUPPORT]
13. I’ll open the Bing Travel app & let someone pick a panorama.  Then I’ll move the screen around to view different areas of the 360 view.  [ACCELEROMETERS]
14. I’ll display a video on the screen along side with the Mail client.  [SIDE-BY-SIDE APPS]
15. I’ll plug in a USB drive & copy some files off of it.  Then plug in a microSD flash card and display some photos from it.  Then plug in a mouse and use it to work more productively. [USB & microSD SUPPORT]
16. I’ll prop up Surface with the kickstand and aim it in one direction with the keyboard folded under… then start recording & walk into frame.  [CAMERA TRIPOD]
17. I’ll set up the keyboard & kickstand then open the CAMERA program in SnapView & bring up OneNote RT in the primary window.  I’ll start recording the video from SnapView & begin taking notes using the keyboard. [ANGLED CAMERA+MULTITASKING]
18. I’ll switch profiles & login as my son, showing “my son’s desktop” with Angry Birds & children’s games ONLY.  Then I’ll show how it’s monitored using Family Safety. [CHILRDEN’S DESKTOP]
19. I’ll show the photo below on the screen of the Surface as a demo of the device’s durability.  [VAPORMG]