Joyeaux Halloween!

Or not. Has evil lost its universal appeal? How can this be?

To do list:

Beat Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2....check
Beat Need for Speed Underground....check
Beat Need for Speed Most Wanted....getting there
Beat Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3....almost
Design Dad's business cards....getting there
Design Dad's logo....check
Redesign blog....haven't started

I am enjoying a new laptop I purchased from my friend, Tim. It runs just about every game I've tried fabulously, and it has a DVD player and I have been wasting a considerable amount of time on it. The good news is I still get out every night just about, so I as of today I still have a life.

A Long Time From Now....

What do you think Earth will be like in 10,000 years (presuming it still exists and is inhabitable)? Here's a bit of Sci-Fi from a London evolutionary theorist: Human species 'may split in two'. Of course, it's nonsense, but it's still kind of fun to think about. I propose that the dominant species will be short, ugly, and incredibly intelligent, and that the subservient species will be tall, strong, and good-looking by today's standards, but very stupid. The trolls will use them as beasts of burden. Moo!

Uh... this week has been pretty busy. Look for a site redesign before month's end.

Very Important News

Looks like nothing is going on in the world today.
A Pig Has Piglets... Again!

Castle Retreat 2006

retreat [ri-treet] noun
a place where devoted Christians go to take cold showers and sleep on camp mattresses, hoping to get closer to God

This was my first time going on the Calvary Chapel of Webster Castle Retreat, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I guess I am still processing the spiritual side of it, so all I have to offer right now is a few pictures and observations. Enjoy!

The "castle" isn't so much of a castle as it is a giant stone farmhouse. Inside, very little of the original decorative details are left. Instead is a hodge-podge of country style decorations, donated furniture, and assorted found objects.


Some examples of found objects in my room: a picture of Jesus on a log...


...and a portrait of President Woodrow Wilson.


A bit of righteous vandalism.


The hillside location offered some spectacular views, like this one from the terrace.


And this one from the Prayer Tower.


A gorgeous sunset delayed our Thursday evening study.


Friday afternoon, I took a walk up the hill to the chapel.


On the way down, I found this little bit of wildlife.


Another view of the steps looking down to the... wait, is that an exotic car lurking in the bushes?


Only one company designs cars with such distinctive stying.


Would now be a good time to learn how to drive stick?

Moniker Design is looking old. Time to update! Look for a new site design sometime next week.

The Dating Pool

I have decided, at the ripe old age of 25, to enter the dating "pool", that is, as of now I am actively seeking a life partner. I guess you could say I'm "wading" for a mate. Aha aha. Of course I've seen a lot of people "drown", but I am certain it is better to be hurt in a relationship than to never have one at all. Hmmm... I'm not sure how far I can carry this pool metaphor. Anyways, I never quite been able to understand the process; there's a whole lot of things I can do better and I'm afraid anything I try is going to make me feel silly. Any friendly helpful suggestions?

It's My Birthday

I made it to 25 without smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or having sex.
I guess this means I'm not normal.

Top Ten Best-Looking Cars of 2007

What is the ideal shape for a sports car? Almost since the automobile’s inception, automotive designers have experimented with a wide variety of shapes for sports cars; wedges, teardrops, blobs, cylinders, etc., resulting in a few iconic designs. Of course, volumes have been written on the topic, but in the end it just comes down to personal taste. Here are my choices for 2007.

10.		Porsche Cayman S Price: $49,400-$70,000 Horsepower: 245-295 Length: 170.9 in Weight: est 2950 With me in it: est 3115
	The Cayman is basically a hardtop version of the veteran Boxster roadster. It carries the trademark Porsche shape: long, low, sleek and aerodynamic, just a bit like its alligator-cousin namesake. I prefer it to the slightly larger 911, though it's a pretty close race.

9.		Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Price: est $41,950 Horsepower: 500 Length: 187.6 in Weight: 3896
	American muscle doesn't get much better than this. The top-of-the-heap Mustang has a number of changes that add to its muscle-bound appearance, including a larger hood scoop, egg-crate grill, larger brakes, and some wicked fast racing stripes. Mine’s called Eleanor.

8.		Pontiac Solstice GXP Price: $25,995 Horsepower: 260 Length: 157.2 in Weight: 2995
	The Solstice was based on the formula for a purist's sports car: light, small, and fast. The result is the most exciting new GM entry in a long time, a true Mazda MX-5 competitor. The turbocharged GXP 2-liter inline-4 develops an impressive 260 horsepower. Also deserving of a nod in this category is the Solstice’s cousin, the Saturn Sky, a small, aggressive roadster with an ample dose of European styling.

7.		Mercedes-Benz SL Class Price: $95,575-$186-775 Horsepower: 382-604 Length: 178.5 Weight: 4220
	Mercedes' "small" roadster approaches my idea of the perfect-looking sports car, a precision machine that looks fun, but also looks very fast. It's a little out of my price range, but you have to admit, this car's got just about everything you could ask for in a sports car. The SL65 AMG is shown.

6.		Aston Martin V8 Vantage Price: $113,200 Horsepower: 380 Length: 172.5 in Weight: 3460
	Here's a car that looks like if you don't get out of the way it will eat you for breakfast. Any Aston Martin is guaranteed to make you feel like James Bond, but the V8 Vantage is the coolest of them all.

5.		Saleen S7 Twin Turbo Price: $602,000 Horsepower: 750 Length: 188.0 in Weight: 2950
	This car is so wild, you probably have to chain it up at night to keep it from roaming the neighborhood causing trouble. Just look at the claw-marks all over it. It's a beast. Check out those numbers.

4.		Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Price: $300,000-$350,000 Horsepower: 640 Length: 180.3 in Weight: 4020
	A favorite of lotto winners and rap stars, Lamborghinis are cars you can depend on to boldly announce your status. The chiseled edges of the Murcielago LP640 contrast sharply with the elegant curves preferred by Ferrari designer, Pinanfarina. It is an iconic design that no other automotive designers have implemented with such rousing success.

3.		Chevrolet Corvette ZO6 Price: $65,000 Horsepower: 505 Length: 175.6 in Weight: 3180
	An American icon, the Chevrolet Corvette has always aspired to be the ideal sports car, a world-class performer at a bargain price. Each successive generation looks and performs better than the one before. The ZO6 is the most powerful stock 'Vette to date, with 505 bhp on tap.

2.		Infiniti G35 Coupe Price: $33,500-$36,000 Horsepower: 280-298 Length: 182.2 Weight: 3415
	With the discontinuation of the Acura RSX this year, this is my pick for best looks/price ratio. It’s basically a dressed-to-impress version of the Nissan 350Z (a great looking car as well), with a back seat added. The G35 represents the absolute hottest style Japan has to offer today. Get it in red.

1.		Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Price: est $250,000 Horsepower: 611 Length: 183.7 Weight: est 3720
	Ferrari’s latest flagship model is a true masterpiece of design and engineering, a shoo-in for first place on this list. Subtle details make all the difference, from the F1-style nose in front, muscular body sculpting, and roofline buttresses in the rear. I could go on and on, but you can read it for yourself.

		Acura RSX Type-S A-Spec Price: est $31,000 Horsepower: 201 Length: 172.4 Weight: est 2860
	One last hurrah for the Acura RSX. This is the car that I really wanted. The Type-S A-Spec comes equipped with underbody kit, 17" wheels, high wing spoiler, and autocross-ready suspension. But instead I opted for the more practical base model, with SportShift automatic transmission.

All photos copyright their respective owners.

"Crocodile Hunter" killed by stingray barb

Flamboyant daredevil zoologist Steve Irwin was killed early Monday while filming a documentary about stingrays off of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. He was swimming above one of the animals when its barb came up and pierced his heart. He was 44. Steve, the "Crocodile Hunter," was loved by millions around the world and was regarded as one of Australia's national treasures. He could get a state funeral if his family agrees.
In Pictures: Australia Mourns Irwin (BBC News)

Bob Dylan at Frontier Field

Yes, I was there last night. And I may post a "review" later, but there is actually quite a bit to say and I don't have time right now.

Black Folks Dancing

Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers, from Stormy Weather (1943).

Attack! Attack!

This weapon is sure to find its way into the next James Bond film.

The Flaming Lips at the Fair?

Normally a hickfest, the New York State Fair has decided to host the Flaming Lips on September 1st. The show will likely draw a lot of hipsters, most likely those who are unemployed, given that the show starts at 5 pm. Of course this means I will not be going. I think the demolition derby sounds awesome though. I always enjoy a good hickfest.
New York State Fair Concerts

Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire

All is as it was. Draw your own conclusions, because everyone else is.

UN to Declare Truce

I know it sounds like a headline from a satirical newspaper, but the UN has decided to declare a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. Funny, because I didn't know the UN was even in this war. If they can do that, then I can declare a truce between Hatfields and the McCoys.

Conspiracy Theories Debunked

Conspiracy theories are enticing because they offer privileged information, information some people just can't pass up. Unfortunately (or fortunately), most of them just aren't true. Here are two popular conspiracy theories and why they don't work.

The Apollo Moon Hoax Theory
9/11 Conspiracy Theory (Loose Change 2nd Ed. Guide)

What's going on in Israel?

In light of the rather disturbing quote perhaps wrongly attributed to Menechem Begin below, I thought I'd post in defense of Israel.

Cry to Those Using Babies as Shields

Science.

O the wonders of modern science! Two ground-breaking articles from the BBC about what the priests of our secular culture are up to.

Evolution Reversed In Mice
Amazing! I wonder what they look like?

Sea-bed plan to store carbon
I've got a better idea: nobody breathe for a few minutes each day. (A side note: Global warming is caused by 0.3% carbon dioxide, 99% water vapor. References:1 2 3 4 etc.)