I’ve discovered during this holiday season that my interests are fairly easy to define.

Every year, people ask me "what I want" for Christmas so this year I decided to create an Amazon.com wish/gift list.  During that time, several things have been added, other things have been cut, but the end result has been a very clear definition of what my interests are.

• Books about Dogs & Dog Adoptions
• Books about Las Vegas & Blackjack Strategy
• Books about Japanese Sake
• Any good HD-DVDs
• Various electronics (Zune, Slingbox, Xbox 360 peripherals and games)
• A few select Alternative/Modern rock Music CDs
• Non-fiction Audiobook CDs

While this might not seem like a clear list, it really is.  Nothing on my rather long list falls outside of this set of categories. 

In fact, this Christmas, I knocked out about half my "wishlist" but I also noticed that people that accessed my list, ABSOLUTELY NEVER actually bought the items directly from Amazon.com.  I’m sure a big part of this was the fact that it requires a delivery charge (something I don’t have to deal with since I’m an Amazon Prime member) and the fact that many people I know still haven’t gotten used to purchasing gifts online instead of at brick & mortar stores during the holidays. In contrast, I bought virtually everything online for my family and friends this year.

In any case, I found this all very interesting.  It’s very rare that I’m able to look at a collected list of my’s wants and derive an aggregate set of personal interests through it.  I wonder what this list will look like in 10 years. 

Even more interesting… I wonder how Amazon consumes this information into it’s neural network to derive what kind of other things I’d be interested in.

Spooky!

Dear Lord…
Thank you for bringing me to Timmy’s house
and not to Michael Vick’s. 
…Amen.

Do you know anyone that’s ever won a world-reknown award?  I know a really nice guy who owns a record label that’s won not one but TWO GRAMMY awards. 

TWO-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
Daniel Ho, the owner and producer for Daniel Ho Creations, is a singer, songwriter, and producer.  He’s a very talented performer in his own right, but something he’s done that very few people in the world has, is he’s produced two GRAMMY award-winning albums on his own record label. 

"BEST HAWAIIAN MUSIC ALBUM"
The first was in 2006 when he produced "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Vol. 1" and the album won "Best Hawaiian Music Album" in the 48th annual GRAMMY awards.  The second was in 2007 when he produced "Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" which won "Best Hawaiian Music Album" in the 49th annual GRAMMY awards.

THIRD NOMINATION IN THREE YEARS
And now he and his company’s up for a THIRD award with not one, but two nominations this year.  The following two albums are nominated for GRAMMY awards in the category of "Best Hawaiian Music Album":

Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar

The first is a compilation album like the first two Grammy award winners he produced.  Featuring the talent of George Kahumoku, Jr., Ledward Kaapana, Dennis Kamakahi, Cyril Pahinui, Martin Pahinui, Owana Salazar, Keoki Kahumoku, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho‘opi‘i, Bobby Ingano, Da ‘Ukulele Boyz, and Sterling Seaton, it bears some similarity to "Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar", packing even more talent on the disc than ever before while managing to articulate the soul of Hawaii Slack Key even more eloquently than before. 
[STREAM SAMPLE MUSIC 64kbps]  [DOWNLOAD 160kbps]

Hawaiiana 

The second is of a very different sort in that it’s performed entirely by singer & actress Tia Carrere.  Tia performs exactly what the title reads:  Hawaiiana… some of Hawaii’s most beloved music, including Aloha ‘Oe & He Aloha Mele.  Her dreamily beautiful & emotional rendition of Aloha ‘Oe almost compels a tear from one’s eye.
[STREAM SAMPLE MUSIC 64kbps]  [DOWNLOAD 160kbps]

THE REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION
So if any one reading this is a a member of NARAS or knows someone that is, might they please consider voting for one of these two albums for the GRAMMY category of "Best Hawaiian Music Album"?

THE SKINNY: There’s not a lot of info about Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s next project, but what is out there is pretty exciting:

IESB.net has gotten hold of something called “the Black List”, a compilation of suggestions by over 150 film executives and high-level assistants.  Each of these folks gave the names of up to ten of their favorite scripts written in 2007, and one of these scripts was Parker and Stone’s upcoming Paramount project, GIANT MONSTERS ATTACK JAPAN! The movie has been announced for release next year, and all anyone knew up till now is that it would be PG-rated.

The synopsis of J.F. Lawton’s script (which can be found in the “2 votes” category) is as follows: “Prompted by a corporate transfer, a father and son move to Japan and find that all the fantastic elements of the son’s favorite Japanese movies – Godzilla, giant robots, secret ninja cults, etc. – are a real and borderline mundane aspect of everyday Japanese life. Adjusting proves difficult, hijinks ensue.”

So, it’s a documentary, then.

TAKEN FROM:  http://ifmagazine.com/new.asp?article=5445

I’m sitting here with my Zune, zipping through all the Podcasts that are listed online that I can subscribe to on Zune Marketplace when I see this one called Play Digital.  And much to my delight, after subscribing I discover that the host is a grrlgamer.

Lessee here.  Long, dark hair, cute little bod, sweet British accent, beautiful bright brown eyes, low maintenance Jinx-esque wear, a great knowledge of gaming, and very little fear of letting a 4 letter word pass those lips.

Whew!  That’s my kinda girl.  I like her spunk and attitude more than Morgan Webb of XPlay fame.  Heck – maybe G4 ought to try flying her out to Los Angeles to get her on the small screen.  They could use some new talent.

And maybe they could get someone with some personal dignity and real gamer credentials to replace Attack of the Show’s atrocious ‘Layla Kayleigh’.  (Wasn’t that woman supposed to have left by now to take over as designated eye candy of the World Poker Tour?)

I digress.  Check Katharine out at http://www.playdigital.tv/.

Every year, a friend of mine hooks me up with tickets to KROQ’s assorted concerts.  It’s admittedly a nice diversion from the hell that is work sometimes.  And every year there are a few pairs of tickets that I can give to a friend and this year was no exception.

But in a strange twist of irony, I couldn’t GIVE the extra pair away.  You see, this year, the event took place on Saturday & Sunday night with different bands on each day.  With Linkin Park & Bad Religion performing on "Night #1", everyone wanted that night.  And frankly with good reason, but I’ll leave that for another blog entry.

But the extra pair was for "Night #2" which featured:

• Muse
• Jimmy Eat World
• Modest Mouse
• Spoon
• The Shins
• Feist

Not terribly common names to many of the people I know unfortunately.  Personally, I’m a big Jimmy Eat World fan and I like Muse but the other bands I wasn’t that familiar with.  But the sick part was that the seats were amazing:  Orchestra 2, Row HH, Seat 7 & 8.  Folks:  These are dead center seats in the area right above the PIT.  Imagine having pit tickets, except with your own seats.

So I ended up going to Night #2 alone, since my other half had to work on some stuff tonight.  The other pair went back to KROQ and I trotted into the metal detectors of the amphitheater at 8:00PM.

AND THEN THE KILLERS CAME OUT.

Women were screaming as they raced to the entrance… apparently a bunch of people don’t actually go into the theatre until it’s late so they just hung out in front, smoking, or doing whatever and suddenly heard "Somebody Told Me" emanating from inside.  It was clear that something exciting had happened inside the amphitheater because there was pandemonium in the halls and the level of noise cranked up to 11. 

Yes, it was true:  the Killers were the surprise unannounced guest band of the night as a little thank you to the people that came to Night #2, and what a "thank you" it was.

Now the funny thing was that the Killers were indeed fantastic.  But they were essentially an opening band for Jimmy Eat World and Muse, both of which were great bands in it of themselves, but between you and me, I’ll take the Killers any day of the week – and apparently, so did a lot of people there.

But what ended up happening was that all the people that rushed in to see the Killers ended up also seeing great sets by both Jimmy Eat World and Muse – both of which were phenomenal.  In fact, very few bands have knocked my socks off in the same way as Muse did:  These dudes are incredible in concert.  I’m going to go pick up some of their albums as a result of that concert.

And I’ll talk about the Linkin Park night later.

Dr. Paul Wilmott, a finance consultant and lecturer, is the founder of Wilmott.com and Wilmott Magazine, a site and periodical dedicated to the Quantitative Finance community.

In May 2007, he did a 40 minute lecture on – of all things – Blackjack:  How to play, how to win, some stories, why Blackjack concepts are relevant to being a hedge fund manager or an investor.

DOWNLOAD:  http://www.wilmott.com/blogs/paul/enclosures/070521_Wilmott_Podcast.mp3

Check this out:  One of the scariest issues of using Paypal & eBay is having your account hacked.  While you are not liable for charges that are not incurred by hackers or thieves, you’re still OUT of pocket of that money while the charge is disputed and it can mean that you could be cleaned out for a while.  (Have you ever had to forage for food in your own home? <grin>)

So for a whopping $5, you can receive a RSA Keyfob or a "Securenet Key" to enable you to make two factor authentication against your Paypal/eBay account mandatory.  They basically send you the fob, you pair it with your account and authorize them to make two-factor authentication mandatory, then bam.  That’s it.  Take that hackers & thieves!

While I wish this was Smartcard being that I’m a strong believer in the long term potential and viability of smartcards, I understand that a completely autonomous two-factor authentication-enabling technology is more appealing at this time.  Hopefully smartcard readers will continue to become more and more pervasive in the future as standard equipment on PCs.

LINK:  https://www.paypal.com/securitykey

In the wake of my Bruins’ sad loss to USC (or depending on your affiliation, happy victory) and the execution of our head coach, Karl Dorrell (thank you Karl – a true Bruin – for bringing class & discipline back to our program), here’s a parting shot to my Trojan friends.

1. What do USC and UCLA students have in common?
   They both got in to USC.
   (Note:  True for me… I mean, c’mon:  UCLA Computer Science & Engineering, the birthplace of the Internet, or USC CS&E?)
   
2. A Trojan grad and a Bruin grad were on death row. The warden came to them to ask them if they had any last requests. The Trojan said, “I’d just like to hear ‘Conquest’ one last time.” When the warden asked the Bruin what his last request was, he replied, “kill me first.”
   
3. Did you hear the library at USC burned down?
   They lost both books, and one hadn’t even been colored in yet.
   
4. A guy in a bar leans over to the guy next to him and asks, “Wanna hear a USC joke?” The guy next to him replies, “Well, before you tell that joke, you should know something. I’m 6’ tall, 200 lbs., and I’m a USC graduate. The guy sitting next to me is 6’2”, weighs 225, and he’s a USC graduate. The fella next to him is 6’5” tall, weighs 250, and he’s a USC graduate. Now, you still wanna tell that joke?
   The first guy replies: “Naw, not if I’m gonna have to explain it three times.”
   
5. Members of the USC football team were placed in a remedial English class. “Because we are all new on campus we are going to start with the basics,” the professor explained. “Does anyone know what comes after a sentence?”
   All of the players raised their hands. “The appeal!” they all shouted with pride.
   
6. Q: What are the best four years of a Trojan’s life?
   A: Third grade
   
7. Q: What does a Trojan and a bottle of beer have in common?
   A: They’re both empty from the neck up.
   
8. Q: What do you get when you drive slowly by the USC campus?
   A: A degree.
   
9. Q: What does the average USC player get on his SAT’s?
   A: Drool.
   
10. Q: How do you get a USC graduate off your porch?
    A: Pay him for the pizza

I was asked a question by someone that I won’t mention by name:

"Why do you work with homeless animals when there are so many homeless people and other more pressing causes?"

Now to be fair, I don’t think this person realized how callous they were being.  Most people with previously rationalized priorities in their own mind rarely stop to think about what other people’s priorities are our how they "see the world".  (This incidentally would probably be the majority of the Californians I’ve talked to that consider themselves "enlightened" when in reality all they really are are "opinionated".)

PETS HAVE NO RIGHTS – WITH OR WITHOUT OWNERS
The fact is, I’m not convinced people are any more or less worthy of "aid" than animals are.  And I certainly don’t believe that animals control their lot in life in the same way that people do.  Why?  Because no matter how you slice it, HUMANS HAVE RIGHTS PROTECTED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT – ANIMALS DON’T.  The handicapped, the indigent, the mentally challenged… they’re all protected by the laws of the United States.

On the other hand, animals are considered objects & property in the eyes of the law and are considered disposable if they are hurt, sick, or have some sort of other health issues.  That’s right:  The loyal, loving dog in the home, without whom a family’s children would cry endlessly is just a smidge above being viewed as a piece of furniture or a garden wheelbarrow.

PETS HAVE NO PROTECTIONS
And here’s the kicker:  Pets are domesticated, meaning that they were not just born of will by humans that chose to have them bred, but they were also brought up in docile environments without learning to either fend for themselves or find their own food.  And in horrific cases, they’re declawed and left completely defenseless against predators just because "someone’s afraid their new sofa might get  scratched."

The bottom line is that animals are here and in the situations they’re in because of humans, not in spite of them.  We control their environment, and we control whether they live or die.  Conversely, animals have NO WAY of living on their own thanks to us.  As domesticated beings, they simply don’t have the skill or tools to ‘rough it’, like some would have you believe.  They are entirely dependent on us to survive whatever meager existence they might have.

So the question is:

1. Do we continue treat living creatures with the same callousness as an inanimate object?  Do we ignore the sanctity of life, "just because they’re animals"?
2. Do we choose to ignore the problem of animal homelessness when it’s very clear that with the right laws and the right funding and the right people, it’s a problem that can very feasibly be eliminated?

I’ve chosen to try to do something and that’s what gets me jazzed on the weekends.

PERSONALLY, I GET MORE SATISFACTION OUT OF HELPING A DOG
Yeah, I said it.  As awful as it may seem to some, I personally get more satisfaction simply feeding and caring for needy animals at this time of year than I do serving dinner plates to the unfortunate at a shelter downtown.  Besides the fact that I know what I’m doing around animal rescue and I’m good at it, this is all something that I believe has far less assistance than is necessary – particularly when the problem can clearly be solved with enough money and the right laws.  And it’s something that I can do something about.

And then I get emails like these:

Best Friends Los Angeles Chapter –

Please help us find homes for the following animals in the Los Angeles/Southern California area this holiday season.

ANGIE was about to be euthanized at the South LA shelter in October because she was emaciated, geriatric, – and, face it, because she is a pit bull. She was bred and probably used as bait as her front incisors were filed down and some appear to have been pulled out.

Despite was this girl has endured in life, she has such a sunny disposition – everyone just loves her!! She is calm, loyal, quick to bond, intelligent, likes to go for walks and does good in the car, wants to please and is crate trained. Angie is good with cats, but not with all dogs (further assessment will be made by a trainer). She is not 100% housebroken, but getting there!

She has had a full dental procedure and teeth cleaning, is current on vaccinations and will be spayed as soon as she gains a little more weight. Angie has a low-grade heart murmur and will need daily eye drops for dry eye indefinitely.

If you are looking for an addition to your family and would like to give Angie all the love and happiness she deserves, please contact Mayte Delgado at justice4animals at yahoo dot com. Angie is based in Los Angeles, but adoption is open to neighboring areas. Adoption fee of $175 and home check required.

PRESTON is a 10-yr old Collie-mix who was severely malnourished and neglected when animal control picked him up in July. He was so weak that he could hardly walk. He sat in the pound for three months before being rescued. Although still a few pounds underweight (weighs around 45, but should be around 55), Preston has gained back his strength and is the sweetest boy! He is extremely gentle, loves attention, and is great with other dogs. He is housebroken, and walks well on a leash. Preston has plenty of good years left and he’d love to live those years with people who will love him back.

If you know of a good home for Preston, please contact Stacey Kozak at skozak at modernmx dot com.

Hi y’all. My name is WALLY because I was discovered running in and out of traffic at a Walmart Parking Lot during the fires. I was soooo scared! My rescuer took me to a shelter hoping my "parents" would come for me, even though I tried telling her they didn’t care about me. In just a few days the fires were in that area as well; so she bailed me out on my last day.

Although I am just 1 year old, I feel as though I have had enough experiences to last a lifetime. I weigh in at under 20 lbs. Even though I consider myself quite handsome; some folks think I sorta’ look like I could be a "cartoon character pooch". I am good with kids and other dogs but cats, well let’s say they fascinate me right now.

MRS. CHANG was a semi-feral "teenage mama" who had several litters before she finally decided to go into a trap and put an end to all her years of motherhood. That was two years ago, and since then Mrs. Chang has taken up residence in the closet of her rescuer’s home, afraid to come out because of two bully cats who already live there. Mrs. Chang is in love with another kitty in the home, and would love to play with him, but she’s too afraid to come out. This is no kinda’ life for an adorable, sweet spirited, young (just 3 1/2) "Scardey Cat."

If you know someone who could give either Wally or Mrs. Chang a loving home, please contact Joy Ray at Rayofjoy at aol dot com.

RALPH is a handsome Rottie mix who is a real couch potato! He’s good with kids and other gentle animals. He walks well on the leash and is learning his commands.

ALBERT is a pit mix with a very active/energetic temperament. He needs to find a home with someone who understands Pit Bulls, and though he likes Ralph he isn’t great with other animals.

Both dogs came from an abuse/neglect situation and were held for MANY months while the case pended in the county court system. When they finally got relinquished to the shelter’s care, they were put on hold status and finally adoptable status on September 1^st of this year. They are currently "staff favorites" at the Camarillo Shelter at 600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo in Ventura County; email Denise.Callaway at ventura dot org who can put dogs on hold status for rescue pickup. Ralph’s ID# is A378770 and Albert’s is A378774.

For more information about these boys, contact Lisa at newslady7 at hotmail dot com.

TOBY was stuck at the San Bernardino animal shelter where he became very ill with an upper respiratory infection. After a few weeks of antibiotics and a warm bed he has recovered 100% and is ready to find his forever home! He is a 1 year old little boy that we think is either a Poodle/Golden Retriever mix or a Chesapeak Bay Retriever/Golden Retriever mix. Either way he is a bundle of love and gives great hugs!

Toby is about 20 lbs, has curly hair and loves to cuddle. Did I mention he gives great hugs?! Toby is a very loving dog who likes to play and chase a ball and is also very happy curly up with you to watch TV or a movie. He enjoys rides in the car, going for walks and making new friends. He will bark to alert you but not unnecessarily. Toby’s a smart dog that is incredibly well housebroken. He is great with other dogs of all sizes and with cats but will be fine in a single pet home.

PERCY is a quiet and attentive little man. He just wants to be around you and sit on your lap – or your shoulder, whichever is available! He is a Chihuahua mix, weighs about 8 lbs. and I think he is about 5 years old. Poor Percy was being hoarded by a homeless woman in South Central who kept him in a small crate in the sun. Percy, however, has faith in humans and really just wants to find someone to love him and keep him safe for the rest of his life. He will dote on you and just wants cuddles in return.

If you would like to meet Percy or Toby, please call eightoneeight-foureightzero-eightonefournine.

Hi, my name is PUPPY. I am a 4-year old Pit Bull Terrier. I’m a very loyal, sweet girl – smart and obedient, too. I know some tricks, and would love to learn more. Though taking walks is lots of fun, my favorite thing is just spending time together quietly. People say I’m well-behaved and playful, and I won’t argue. I don’t mind kittens, and am not aggressive towards other dogs – though I’d have to meet your other pets before deciding whether I like them.

My name is DOLLY, and my story is a sad one. When I was just a pup (I’m 2 years old now) my ears were cropped, then I was used for breeding – the people at the shelter say I was abused, too. Maybe that’s why I’m shy and scared of people. I’m a Pit Bull who’s slow to trust, but sweet and lovable once you’ve earned my affection. I love long walks and, of course, a good belly-rubbing makes my day. I need to be an only pet because I just looove attention; my new family needs to be patient with me, to help me forget my past and look forward to a bright future in a caring home.

Hello! My name is CINNAMON. I’m a sweetheart of a Pit Bull Terrier. I’m 5 years old, and a little shy, but if you give me a chance I can show you the real me: an affectionate and loving girl. I’m very quiet, and love just to lie beside you peacefully. However, I won’t turn down a walk or a trip to the park, too! When I first came to the shelter, I was depressed. I was found on the street, with signs of abuse; now, though, I’m ready for a new life with a forever family!

If you would like to know more about these or any of the other dogs at the Burbank Animal Shelter, please contact Molly Stretten at molly at basv dot org. The address of the shelter is 1150 N. Victory Place, Burbank 91502.

Another way you can help the Burbank Animal Shelter and the dogs is to forward this message to your contacts, friends and family.   The shelter, the dogs and Best Friends thank you for anything you can do on the dogs’ behalf. 

Thank you for supporting Best Friends’ mission:
Making the world a better place through kindness to animals.

http://network.bestfriends.org
http://www.bestfriends.org

Until one has loved an animal, part of one’s soul remains unawakened. – Anatole France

Recently, I made a point of telling some folks that it’s well know that UCLA has the very highest academics standards when it comes to recruiting players for all sports, whether it’s football, basketball, or otherwise.  A USC fan naturally cringed when she heard this, (and anyone that knows USC recruiting knows why) and retorted back that "all schools" have academic challenges when it comes to recruiting athletes?

Oh yeah?  Tell that to Arizona State.  Cal.  Oregon State.  Washington State.  And especially USC – land of the "academic exception".

Truth be told, UCLA’s coaches have to recruit against the highest of academic standards:  If you don’t meet those standards – i.e. SAT scores and GPA – you don’t qualify and you more than likely don’t get in.  Only Stanford has more stringent academic standards in the Pac-10 than UCLA.

Unfortunately very little has been written about this difference between UCLA sports and the rest of the Pac-10… until now.  Brian Dohn wrote an article investigating this very topic:

Making the grade an obstacle at UCLA
By Brian Dohn, Staff Writer
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_7595636

The comment often heard from cynics is, "Well, how big can this disparity be?  I mean seriously."  Well, in addition to this article, there is a very interesting Powerpoint online from Clemson university that goes over the topic of Academic Standards in collegiate athletics.

NCAA & Intercollegiate Athletics
http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~sauerr/classes/324/ncaa_files/frame.htm

In the Powerpoint they discuss Prop 16 of 1995, one of the biggest obstacles at UCLA.  Prop 48 requires that all student athletes obtain an SAT of 1010 and a GPA of 2.0 or above.  (Higher GPAs could offset lower SAT scores however and vice versa)

Surprise:  Not all schools abide by Prop 16.  Exceptions are made to a wide degree between schools and regulation of these exceptions appears to be very loose and broadly administered.  Basically, a school that has their priorities set differently that more academically minded administrations can pretty much establish exception-based admissions for anyone that comes along.

Not at Stanford or UCLA.  And with USC recruiting the cream of the crop from across the nation with it’s highly touted football team, this is one of the reasons so many prospects from Southern California, instead of going to UCLA, end up attending Washington State, Oregon State, Arizona State or Cal – schools with lesser academic standards for their athletes.

The best gift doesn’t come from a store… it comes from your heart.

Share a gift of life and love this holiday season by sponsoring an animal at the Best Friends Animal Society. Gift Sponsorships for homeless animals provide your loved ones with the warm feeling of caring and sharing. Sponsor one of the animals at Best Friends and give the gift of love and life.

LINK:  https://gifts.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?source=sochp&kc=mem1

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door – nose height.

Dear Dog,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food.  The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack.  Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs  can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible.  I also know that sticking tails straight-out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered.  Also, I have been using the bathroom for years –canine attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog’s butt.  I cannot stress this enough!

Hilarious.  The folks at CNET UK wrote a great piece that basically echoes the sentiments of anyone that recognizes the basic economics of HD DVD:

CHEAP PLAYERS = MORE PURCHASES

1. HD DVD uses tremendously less expensive components than Blu-ray DVD in all its hardware and media, in particular the optical components.
2. HD DVD’s player’s price as a result is significantly lower than Blu-ray players.
3. A drop in HD DVD’s price for its players to $99 each, results in people buying HD DVD drives, regardless of any other factor.

LINK:  http://crave.cnet.co.uk/dvdpvr/0,39030701,49294039,00.htm

CHEAP MEDIA = MORE PUBLISHERS
Additionally, the availability of technologies like 3xDVD, which allows average Joes to create HD DVD quality video and write it to traditional, mass produced dual layer DVD discs for playback on any HD DVD player, makes homebrew HD video a reality for the masses.

For example, company’s like Ulead who produce DVD production software can easily, with just a patch, now produce HD DVD discs as well as conventional disc.

LINK:  http://crave.cnet.co.uk/dvdpvr/0,39030701,49294123,00.htm

I’m not much for forwarded ‘deep thoughts’ email, but this one caught my eye (Thank you Tom Lavine) and got me quite a bit choked up.  Our beloved Sheepa is 13 and he doesn’t have that much time left on this earth so it’s quite meaningful being that he’s been absolutely the perfect dog for my wife and I.

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years or more. Any separation from you will be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me. Don’t break my spirit with your temper, though I will always forgive you. Your patience will teach me more effectively.
3. Please have me spayed or neutered.
4. Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up or out as punishment. After all, you have your job, your friends, your entertainment, I only have you.
5. Speak to me often. Even if I don’t understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me. Your voice is the sweetest sound I ever hear, as you must know by my enthusiasm whenever I hear your footsteps.
6. Take me in when it’s cold and wet. I’m a domestic animal and am no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask for little more than your gentle hands petting me. Keep my bowl filled with water. Feed me good food so that I may stay well to romp and play. By your side, I stand ready, willing and able to share my life with you, for that is what I live for. I’ll never forget how well you’ve treated me.
7. Don’t hit me. Remember, I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, or I’ve been out in the sun too long, my ear may hurt, or my heart may be getting weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. For you will grow old, too.
10. When I am old, or when I no longer enjoy good health, please do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having fun. Just see to it that my trusting life is taken gently. And be with me on that difficult journey when it’s time to say goodbye. Never say, "I just can’t bear to watch it." Everything is easier for me when you are there. I will leave this earth knowing with my last breath that my fate was always safest in your hands. I love you.

Last week, the Microsoft Asset Inventory Service for the Desktop Optimization Pack released to the web.  See the URL below for an explanation of the role AIS plays in the DOP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/enterprise/ais.mspx

WHAT IS IT?
Basically it’s the technology from the AssetMetrix acquisition we made a year or so ago except it’s almost entirely a hosted service that we make available.  It involves installing a 1.4MB client component on your PCs (2000/XP/Vista/x64) and waiting for it to collect the information that it needs to report back to https://sc.microsoft.com.  After that, you go to the web site and see the information collected from the machines you have registered with the service.

The information basically gives you very precise information about what software is installed on your PCs, what versions (v1.0, v1.1, etc), what media types (Retail/MSDN/Select/Trial/etc.), what editions (Pro/Ent/Std/etc.), and it works for not just Microsoft software but for all vendors, including Adobe, Symantec, etc.

SO, WE HAVE THE DESKTOP OPTIMIZATION PACK.  HOW DO WE GET AIS?
It’s pretty simple.  It requires activating the benefit from https://licensing.microsoft.com.  The activation process is documented over at the System Center blog at http://blogs.technet.com/systemcenteronline/archive/2007/10/05/ais-account-activation.aspx.

HOW DO WE MANAGE THIS THING?
Through an Group Policy ADM template.  We published one here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=13cef13f-8a53-498b-91f8-ad1b0ec00b9b&DisplayLang=en

More on this as I get details internally.

Steven Vai the guitarist behind the Halo theme has his Mjolnir mix being posted as a free download on Xbox Live for Guitar Hero 3 players.

http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/11/21/ghiii-gets-the-halo-theme-tomorrow-free/

My wife always tells me how similar our dog is to me.  We both sleep late.  We both walk kind of the same.  We’re both insistent big mouths and we’re both finicky. 

To be honest, I never really saw the comparison though until last night at around 1:00AM, there was this repetitive humming noise coming from the family room.  I started to home in on the sound and sure enough there he was:  Our dog snores.

Here’s a audio sample:
http://www.evilkoala.org/Media/SheepaSnores!.wma

On the plane home the other day, I realized that I’ve been playing A7-3 incorrectly at the Blackjack tables in Vegas for years.  I’ve also been occasionally playing 66-2 and 99-7 incorrectly at most of the tables that I play.  I mean, for all the time that I’ve spent learning the game, ways to get an edge, and suppress the house’s advantage, I’ve been playing some of the basic starting hands just plain wrong and while I’m embarrassed about it, I’m glad I caught them.  (Thank you Fred Renzey.  Your book really does rule and it was worth re-reading.  I learn something from it every time I go through it.)

A7-3 normally looks like 18 versus a dealer 3.  Things are looking good at this point for most people.  After all, why would you turn down what looks like a pretty good winner?  Well, the problem is that a STAND on this hand is dead wrong and the move that I’ve been guilty of for years of table play. 

A7-3 = DOUBLE DOWN
Yes, you read that correctly:  The proper Basic Strategy play for A7-3 is to DOUBLE DOWN, as it is against a deal 4, 5, & 6.  The odds are that doubling down is simply a more profitable play than STANDING.  This is one of those chances where you get a to extract a little more cash out of the casino by pushing your bet,  It’s also one of those moves where people leave money on the table because they either stand or hit, but simply never consider doubling their bet size.  Obviously this is doubly important when the shoe is rich.

And then there’s 66-2, which looks like a 12-2 play which in virtually all books is a HIT… a tough one, but it’s a HIT.

66-2 = SPLIT
Yet another sketchy scenario, at tables where Doubling-after-Splitting is allowed, 66-2 is a SPLIT, and not a HIT like I’ve normally been playing it.  It turns out that you can take a a few cards after the split and turn your hand from a complete loser to a winner after splitting, especially if you have the chance to hit a 5, then double down to essentially balance out a potential loss with the other side of a split.  Again, this is only for tables with DAS which is most of the Vegas strip’s properties however in these cases, 66-2 is a SPLIT.

This is another one that bugs me:  I’ve been missing on 99-7 for years.  99-7 looks like a sure fire splitting opportunity, after all having two hands starting with 9’s against a dealer 7 looks pretty good.

99-7 = STAND
There was a older gentleman at 3rd base during my last trip to the Venetian that summarily corrected me on this play telling me, "Son – that’s a chump’s play.  Learn your tables:  You always split 9s except against a 7 or X."  I stopped to think about it for a minute  and it rang true… 18 against a dealer 7 did make a lot of sense but I didn’t have my strategy card in front of me (my bad) so I couldn’t look it up but I took his advice and won the hand when the deal flipped a K.

Goes to show you that everyone can learn something at any time and sometimes old ways die hard.

The Xbox 360 has already won the SpikeTV Video Game Awards and the winners haven’t even been announced yet.  How? 

ALL THE ‘GAME OF THE YEAR’ NOMINEES ARE XBOX 360 ONLY.
(http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30510)

Spike TV’s 2007 Game of the Year Nominees are:
Bioshock, Halo 3, Mass Effect, The Orange Box

And, what a coincidence:  The Best Xbox 360 Game Nominees are…
Bioshock, Halo 3, Mass Effect, The Orange Box

And what of the PS3 & the Wii?  Not a single game of their’s – not Warhawk (PS3), not Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess (Wii), not Metroid Prime 3 (Wii)… were competitor’s for "Game of the Year".  And it’s no surprise:  In 2006, the situation was similar.

Spike TV’s 2006 Game of the Year nominees were:
Gears of War (XBox360), Guitar Hero 2 (XBox360), Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (XBox360), and Okami (PS2 – not PS3).

So… if you want the best games available on any next gen console, here’s a list submitted for your review: 

• Halo 3 (Xbox 360 only)
• Gears of War (Xbox 360 only)
• Bioshock (Xbox 360 only)
• Mass Effect (Xbox 360 only)
• Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Xbox 360 only)
• Guitar Hero 2 (Xbox 360 & PS2 only)
• The Orange Box (Xbox 360 only)
• Madden 08 (60fps on Xbox 360 only)
• Grand Theft Auto 4 (Complete game Xbox 360 only)
• Guitar Hero 3
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Assassin’s Creed
• Rock Band

Any questions?