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| | | :: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 :: |
Legal Notice
Lain sent me this story about a man being mauled by a bear which made me realize that I probably need some sort of liability disclaimer stating that this blog is not issuing a mandate nor in any way endorsing fighting bears, and that if you, do, in fact, choose to fight a bear, the blog will be held harmless in the event of any ensuing injury or loss. Further, if you decide to challenge this legally, you'll face the wrath of Richie's briefs. And, we don't mean in court.
Yearly Hatbag
Hippie New Year!
Barry The Past
Here's the highlights of 2003, served up Dave Barry-style.
Rules Of The Ring
Here's a handy guide to things you shouldn't do while watching Return Of the King.
Poor Osama's Almanac
While it should go without saying that you should just carry on with your normal activities, if you see someone with an almanac, be afraid. Be very, very afraid.
This Small, And No Smaller
According to this article, despite the rumors, smaller, cheaper iPods are unlikely to be announced at Tuesday's Macworld Expo. The writer offers no thougts on what should be expected, but instead bring accursed logic and reasoning to the iPod rumors.
Addendum: Of course, according to this British article, they've already been announced. That said, who would want a 65-pound iPod? (Of course, I guess if you're one of those folks that had a 400-pound iPod, it would be a real improvement.)
Mars Online
The exploration will be televised. Or, at least, Webcast. NASA will be including a near-real-time feed from the Spirit and Opportunity rovers on the mission's Web site, along with additional photos and information.
Research First, Leap Second
If you were planning on sitting your clock ahead one second tonight, don't bother. For the fifth year in a row, world timekeepers say that there is not need for a leap second this year, because the Earth has apparently sped up.
The Greatest Computer
The success of probes such as the Mars Pathfinder mission has often been pointed to as an arguement that manned spaceflight is unnecessary--it's cheaper and safer to just send robots through the Solar System, while we stay home. In an editorial yesterday, the Houston Chronicles writes something I've also been saying for the past few days, which is that, conversely, missions like Beagle 2 show the need for manned exploration. To use an example they don't, if Apollo 11 had been an unmanned mission, it very likely would have been a complete failure. The landing site, picked after lengthy research to find an ideal location, turned out to be unusable, littered with boulders that would have made trying to touch down safely extremely difficult, if not impossible. Neil Armstrong, piloting the LM, was able to see the problem and react, flying the craft to a safer spot, setting down with only seconds of fuel left. Left to a pre-programmed machine, Apollo 11 would likely have gone the way of so many other unsuccesful robot probes.
Livin' On Martian Time
Scientists at the control centers for NASA's two Martian rovers will be adjusting their clocks to follow the day cycle of the Red Planet. A Martian day is relatively close in length to a human one, at 24 hours, 39 1/2 minutes, but over time the difference adds up--someone who goes to work at local 8 a.m. the frist day will clock in at 10 p.m. 3 weeks later. In addition to helping to make the most of the MERs limited functional time, the practice will also serve as an experiment to learn a little about what adaptation will be involved for the first visitors to the Red Planet.
Red Moon?
Wonder what the Chinese have been up to with their space program since their well-publicized first manned launch a couple of months ago? Well, not much.
Addendum: Reuters has a little more information:
"It's definitely not just one person, we'll add more astronauts."
| | | :: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 :: |
But Does Jared Eat Them?
Per SUBWAY® Restaurant News:
On December 29, Subway® Restaurants will offer two Atkins® Nutritionals, Inc.-endorsed low-carbohydrate wraps: the Turkey and Bacon Melt Wrap, with Monterey cheddar cheese, and the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap, with Swiss cheese. Both Atkins® -Friendly Wraps, available in the U.S. and Canada, have 11 grams Net Carbs or less, and the wrap itself, which is made with wheat gluten, cornstarch, oat, sesame flour and soy protein, has only 5 grams Net Carbs.
Subway® Restaurants is proud to be the first quick serve restaurant to partner with Atkins® Nutritionals Inc. The partnership will benefit the millions of people who have chosen to manage their weight and overall health by following the Atkins Nutritional Approach™.
But Don't Worry...
Richie is fine.
(That story would have been better if his glasses had been on the other side of the room, and so he was trapped under all those books, but couldn't read them, like that Twilight Zone episode.)
Daily Hatbag
Here ya go.
You Are GO For Docking Maneuvers
OK, it's official. I don't care where you work, it's nowhere near as cool as where I work:
In his book Living in Space, G. Harry Stine, a NASA technician who died in 1997, wrote that agency staff at the Marshall Space Flight Centre in Huntsville, Alabama, had used a buoyancy tank that simulated low-gravity conditions to test the possibilities of weightless sex.
"It was possible but difficult," he wrote, "and was made easier when a third person assisted by holding one of the others in place."
And, while I've never seen the RSA officially state this, according to the same articles, Space Adventures has said that a couple that buys the space honeymoon trip will be able to consummate the marriage aboard ISS.
Important Robot Holocaust Question
It's not addressed in this article about "Robot Tarzan," but what allegiances would a robot raised by monkeys hold?
Wanted: "Dead Or Alive"
PBS NOVA producers are still unsure of how to end their special episode which will be airing Sunday. The show will detail the construction and flight of the Mars Rover Spirit. Since the rover will not land until the day before the show airs, the ending has not yet been completed. The final 2 1/2 minutes will be added to the show after the fate of MER-A is known.
| | | :: Monday, December 29, 2003 :: |
TGI (LC) F
This may have been discussed here before, but TGI Friday's does have a low-carb menu, which is even officially Atkins-approved, though it's nothing to write home about (Sadly, however, before posting this here, I did, in fact, write home about it).
Transformed Again
If you haven't heard it elsewhere, then you heard it here first.
For Your Consideration...
You know, I'm really not sure why I'm even posting this stuff with no one out there to read it. Anyway, I thought this is funny, too.
Elmo Macht Frei
Heh
The Spirit Is Willing
The site I posted a while back with scans of Opus is apparently down, but here's another one.
That said, I was reading Sunday's strip, and is not bad enough that he's dragging his own characters through the dirt? Of course, that said, there's like a slight glimmer of hope here that the strip may be about to improve.
Coming Soon
Just A Reminder.
Butterfly On A Bullet
The title of this post is from an article in The Los Angeles Times, and was describing the Space Shuttle Columbia. I love that description, and a lot of what else the article has to say is well worth reading also.
Tied Down
After being delayed this year due to safety concerns involving ISS, the ProSEDS tether experiment has been cancelled. ProSEDS would have tested the feasability of using a tether line to provide power to orbiting spacecraft. Ultimately, the technology, along with momentum exchange tether technology, could be used to boost spacecraft launched into a lower orbit (read: cheaper to launch) into higher orbit or interplanetary space without the disadvantages associated with carrying additional fuel. For more about the topic, here's an article I wrote on ProSEDS for NASAexplores.
Daily Hatbag
I'm pretty sure I haven't used this one as the Daily Hatbag before.
Word Up
Apropos of nothing, but yourDictionary.com has lists of the top words of 2003.
Iran's So Far Away
This story is far less interesting than the headline would have you believe. That said, if German firefighters could, in fact, rescue you from obscurity, they'd be rich beyond the dreams of avarice.
Where No Man Has Gone Before--And Still Hasn't
The Huntsville Times ran a story yesterday about the unmanned space exploration projects which will be taking place next year. A sidebar not included in the online version included the following summary.
Jan 2--The Stardust space probe will encounter the comet Wild-2 and collect particles from the comet, which it will bring home to Earth in early 2006. The probe has already been collecting space dust on its way to the comet.
Jan 3 & Jan 24--The Spirit and Opportunity rovers will land on Mars, hopefully succesfully.
April 24--Gravity Probe B will be launched after decades of planning and will test Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Which will kind of suck if succesful, since I guess if it's proven, we won't be able to call it the "Theory of Relativity" anymore.
July 1--The Cassini probe will enter orbit around Saturn.
Sept. 8--The Genesis mission will return to Earth bearing solar wind particles it has collected.
Finding The Moon
According to Jim Lovell, "A serious project of going to Mars will include the Moon in some manner." Lovell briefly discussed the future of spaceflight among other topics in a recent interview with Space.com.
Well Played, Quicktime
One of the greatest animated series of all times returns, sort of, as Kevin Smith has posted test footage developed for the Clerks Animated Movie online. In a surprising turn of events, the short clip includes a Star Wars homage. Good stuff.
Whither Beagle?
Still no word from the European Mars lander. The team maintains hope, noting that the chances of making contact improve somewhat on Jan. 4.
| | | :: Thursday, December 25, 2003 :: |
Merry Christmas!
Here's wishing you and yours a happy holiday!
Beagle Vigil
I was hoping to be able to blog this morning that, a la Armstrong, "The Beagle has landed!" Instead, so far, there's been only silence from the surface of the Red Planet. While things aren't looking good, there's still hope that the lander is safely on the surface, and has just been unsuccesful in communicating back. If that's the case, we probably won't know today. But, so far, it's not looking good. We can only hope.
Daily Hatbag
Er... it turns out I'm out of Christmas strips, here's a little something to tide you over (like anyone's reading today--and if you are, get out from in front of your computer. It's Christmas, Ebenezer!)
| | | :: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 :: |
Daily Hatbag
Merry Christmas Eve.
Shumway's Return
 Apparently the best part of appearing in long-distance-service TV commercials is that it causes anyone to look cool in comparison to Carrot Top. Following in the succesful merger of space voyagers and talk shows demonstrated by Space Ghost, ALF will be returning to TV with a new talk show on Nickelodeon.
Small Apple Rumors
According to Think Secret, lower-priced, colorful mini iPods will be the highlight of Macworld San Francisco. Also expected is a "total revamp" of iLife. According to this story, no new desktop or laptop computers are anticipated, contrary to earlier rumors that a third-gen iMac would be announced.
Tomorrow's Propulsion, Today
 A new ion propulsion engine design has succesfully completed testing at NASA's JPL. The Nexis design is among those being considered under NASA's Project Prometheus nuclear spaceflight initiative, and is being reviewed for possible use on the proposed JIMO Jovian moon orbiter mission.
Santa Claus Versus The Martians
While we've been hearing for quite a while about the planned Christmas Day landing of the ESA's Beagle 2 Mars lander, it turns out that's the 25th Europe time, and that Christmas comes early here in the States. The touchdown is expected around 8:54 p.m. CST. But don't sit by the TV then waiting for word from Mars--the first opportunity for the Rover to send a signal if it lands succesfully will be around 11:30 p.m. CST, courtesy of NASA's Mars Odyssey (it's good to have friends when traveling to new places).
Merry Christmas... From Space!
In addition to being Christmas Eve, today marks the 35th anniversary of mankind's first orbit of another world, during which the crew made their famous Christmas Eve broadcast, so I thought it would be appropriate to pass along season's greetings from Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders.
| | | :: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 :: |
Daily Hatbag
Christmas week continues.
Maybe 2004 Will Be Like 1984
MacRumors.com reports that Apple may be considering an anniversary Super Bowl ad.
Clash Of The Titans
According to this law dude, Wal-Mart's version of iTMS isn't that great.
The Top 10
collectSPACE has posted a list of 51 major space-related events of the past year, and asked readers to submit their list of the 10 most important. I started my list below, but didn't get 10 because I felt the cS list was missing a few major items (which I've suggested adding on the page I linked to). I'd be curious to see what others would pick (note that the cS list, for obvious reasons, includes several collecting-related items).
- Space Shuttle Columbia and the STS-107 crew lost during reentry--Without a doubt, this had the most immediate impact, vastly changing the landscape of spaceflight for the rest of the year and most of next year. It also has the potential to bring about the most lasting change, given the push it created to establish a new vision for U.S. manned spaceflight.
- China launches its first taikonaut, Yang Liwei onboard Shenzhou-5--Close to being the top story of the year for its historic unprecedentedness, this one falls to number two because of China's failure, in my opinion, to adequately follow through with it. Making a first flight is impressive, waiting 2 years for a second flight it less so.
- Beagle 2 lands on Mars (forecasted)
- Yuri Malenchenko weds Ekaterina Dmitriev from the Space Station--This one probably won't be of the most lasting consequence (particularly since RSA has banned future space weddings), but it did get a human interest space story in the news for a while.
- Voyager 1 reaches 90 times the distance of the Earth from the Sun--I don't know how much real difference it makes, but it's exciting to see a manmade spacecraft venturing into unexplored territory, and it's very exciting to think that it will eventually be making the voyage into interstellar space.
- Spirit and Opportunity launch for Mars--This one's a big deal, but for 2003, it's more about potential than accomplishment. Assuming they land succesfully, these could be high on the list for next year.
Been There, Sure, But Done That?
It turns out that the White House has been wasting its time conferring with experts in the field of space exploration in planning a roadmap for spaceflight. Instead, the administration could have simply turned to The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune, one of the world's foremost experts in the field. Using the sort of investigative research that is one of the hallmarks of great journalism, The T-P was able to determine that we've already been to the Moon! In an editorial titled "Been There, Done That," the paper argues that since we visited the Moon briefly 30 years ago, we should now travel directly to Mars. One assumes that means that we should also abandon any future research of Earth's oceans, since we've already been there, and that aviation should have been abandoned after the Wright Brothers' first flew flights. Perhaps the editorial staff should spend more time paying attention to what they're writing. The second paragraph notes: "The Apollo program, which put 12 Americans on the lunar surface, was driven more by the desire to beat the Soviets to the moon than the need to advance human knowledge." They then go on to say, "But the latter should be the focus of any new goal for space exploration..." But, the conclusion they reach is "and that points not to the moon, where we've been, but to Mars." If our goal is to advance human knowledge, and we haven't adequately done that yet on the Moon, then shouldn't we take care of that before moving on. Is their logic that since the Moon was one used as a largely political goal, it no longer has any scientific merit? I'm all in favor of exploring Mars, but not at the cost of ignoring the Moon. We have another world located conveniently a mere quarter of a million miles away, and to argue that we should simply ignore it forever because we spent a few days there decades ago is simply ludicrous.
Addendum: Here's what Cosmic Log has to say on the subject.
UNITeS
FYI
That Euro-Vision Thing
While NASA and the U.S. are patiently awaiting word from the president on what America's new roadmap for the future of spaceflight will be like, Europeans have already seen the future, but now it's there turn to be patient. The ESA plan calls for landing Euronauts on Mars, but not for another 30 years. More disappointingly, while the ESA plan would return men to the Moon (as rumors suggest the Bush plan may mandate), they wouldn't be landing until 2024--a far cry from "before this decade is out."
To be fair, there is a difference--Europe still lacks even the modicum of manned spaceflight capability that the U.S. had when Kennedy made his announcement. Despite all of its accomplishments, ESA is still an agency which has never built a manned spacecraft.
I'm curious to see how, or if, this will affect U.S. plans. While it's nice to hear others talking about manned exploration of the Solar System, the lackadaisical pace they have outlined could actually have a detrimental effect, turning what could have been a space race into a space lounge.
Jobs Online
No big shock, but here's official confirmation that Steve Jobs' keynote address will be Webcast during the January 6 Macworld San Francisco event. If rumors are true, it could definitely be worth watching, but if Macworld rumors were all true, I could call friends on my Apple cellphone to tell them about my Apple tablet computer and my 3-year-old G5.
Seein' Ian
I'm generally not in favor of Lucas' ongoing tampering with the original Star Wars movies, but having Ian McDiarmid play the Emperor in Empire Strikes Back would be a change that I would probably approve of (though I still want to be able to get a copy of the fake emperor version of the film as well).
| | | :: Monday, December 22, 2003 :: |
Changes
I've made a few minor changes to the template. Let me know what you think.
Avast, Me Hardee's
In a turn of events I'd like to see inspire more restaurants, Hardees has apparently begun a campaign of catering to me personally. First, there were the thickburgers, which are some tasty hamburgers that I enjoy greatly. But then, so do other people. Then, as reported last week, they decided that since I'm on Atkins, they should add some low-carb burgers to their menu. Of course, there are plenty of people on Atkins, so that's not necessarily Dave-specific. But, now, starting next month, they're going to have NASA-themed Kid's meals, with NASA toys and content provided in part by some of my co-workers (currently scheduled for Jan 7-Feb 24 or so). I'm looking forward to the upcoming announcement that Sarah McLachlan will be performing live concerts in certain restaurants.
Daily Hatbag
It's Christmas week!
Play MST For Me
I can't watch this at the moment, but if anyone else can, I'd love a review. It's a new online series from the writers and stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
Travel To The Moon
This Christmas, you can send a loved one to the Moon. Of course, they'll have to be dead first.
Today In History
The Soviet Union was unable to kill two dogs on this date 43 years ago when a Vostok prototype they were to be launched aboard misfired and crashed into Siberia.
To The Moon
The New York Times has a pro-lunar exploration editorial.
That Vision Thing Update
In the immortal words of Axel Rose, "Where do we go now? Where do we go? Ay yi yi yi... Where do we go now?"
The Year In Space
 Space.com has a year-in-review story of spaceflight, which uses the image at right as its logo. Lest anyone doubt that this was a groundbreaking year, it'd be tough to think of another that you could summarize the year in an image that didn't include NASA or RSA spacecraft (though only history will tell whether the two they chose are really bigger than Columbia).
Honeymoon On A Man-Made Moon
'Cause in space, no one can hear you scream.
FYI
So, who was Spitzer?
Answer Finder
Forbes as an interesting Apple Q&A.
Listless Til March
I mentioned previously that it was coming, but DVD File has confirmed a March 6 release date for a lackluster Schindler's List DVD.
Lucky Cow
I've got to give a shout-out to Mark for giving a shout-out to all our peeps in Sunflower County.
Building A Home In Space--On Earth
The Huntsville Times had a decent story yesterday about continuing work on ISS going on in Huntsville.
| | | :: Sunday, December 21, 2003 :: |
In The Beginning...
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the first time Man truly ventured away from his home. On December 21, 1968, Commander Frank Borman and astronauts Jim Lovell and Bill Anders lifted off from Cape Canaveral about the Apollo 8 Saturn V to begin the journey which would make them the first humans to visit another world, orbiting the Moon 10 times on Christmas Eve before returning home.
Keep Reaching For The Crap
You know, I have to wonder what Casey Kasem thinks about his job today. To think about all the great times in rock history he's presided over, and then to listen to the crap that has become pop music today is just weird. Is he ever disappointed by what's happened to music, or does he just embrace it as yet another variation in the constant change?
Welcome to Geekville
Alright...test your sci-fi trivia skills. It occurred to me earlier today that if I wanted a very subtle sci-fi name for a hypothetical son, an excellent one would be Benjamin Jesser. Five blog points to the first person to identify the property and reference.
| | | :: Friday, December 19, 2003 :: |
Beginning Of The End/End Of The Beginning
The ESA's Mars Express probe will release the Beagle-2 lander today, beginning a decent that will culminate in a Christmas Day landing.
Daily Hatbag
You know, the O.J. Trial rates embarrasingly high among Hatbag strip topics.
| | | :: Thursday, December 18, 2003 :: |
Daily Hatbag
Make your Christmas plans now.
Robot Holocaust Update
When the robot revolution comes, running won't help you.
SpaceShipOne Update
Cosmic Log has a good feature about yesterday's supersonic flight.
Let's Go
Another pro-Moon editorial, this one from The Washington Times.
The Future Of Mac Is At Hand
Steve Jobs will deliver the Keynote Address for Macworld San Francisco on Tuesday, January 6, at 11 a.m. CST.
| | | :: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 :: |
w00t! There It Is!
ALRIGHT! This is what I've been waiting for! I'd heard rumors that this might happen, but nothing recently. To mark the Centennial Of Flight, Scaled Composites conducted the first supersonic test flight of SpaceShipOne. While a cold-engine test was performed a few days ago, this was the first powered-flight test of the spacecraft. It was the first manned supersonic flight by an aircraft developed by a small company's private, non-government effort. Scaled does not pre-announce flights, so there's no word yet as to when the big one's coming, but it's probably not too far away.
Seeds
From Bush's Centennial speech:
"A great American journey that began at Kitty Hawk continues in ways unimaginable to the Wright brothers. One small piece of their Flyer traveled far beyond this field. It was carried by another flying machine, on Apollo 11, all the way to the Sea of Tranquility on the Moon. These past hundred years have brought supersonic flights, frequent space travel, the exploration of Mars, and the Voyager One spacecraft, which right now is moving at 39,000 miles per hour toward the outer edge of our solar system. By our skill and daring, America has excelled in every area of aviation and space travel. And our national commitment remains firm: By our skill and daring, we will continue to lead the world in flight.
Man Vs. Nature
Don't mess with squirrels.
Daily Hatbag
As we reflect back today on how life would be different if not for the accomplishment of the Wright Brothers 100 years ago, we find that life in the Hatbag world would really be about the same. In fact, as best as I can tell, this isthe only reference in any strip to anyone flying.
Captive Saddam
So here's an interesting theory: The U.S. actually freed Saddam from captivity.
Cloning Around
Reading the news this week of a second succesful cloning of a human embryo makes one think--you just don't hear much out of the Raelians these days, do you?
Making Amend's
FoxTrot: Made With Mac
Oh, Yeah
Sadly, on this Centennial of Flight anniversary, this is the most exciting news I've seen so far (although on seeing the picture, it's a little disappointing--yet more unfulfilled potential for a day full of it).
OK, Honestly Now
Don't get me wrong, I'm as glad as everyone that to some extent the Centennial of Flight includes a celebration of spaceflight as well as aviation, with such people as John Glenn and Buzz Aldrin playing important parts in marking the anniversary. That said, how connected are the two, really? Rocketry, of course, long predates powered flight. Sure, you have programs like the X-15 that combine the two, and there probably wouldn't be a Space Shuttle in its current form without the airplane (although, technically, the Space Shuttle, in its "aircraft" mode, functions as a glider, rather than an airplane). But, I can't think of any reason why the Mercury, Gemini, or even Apollo programs could not have occurred independently of the development of powered flight (Civilization technology trees aside).
No Vision Today, Thank You
From USA Today: President Bush will visit Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Wednesday to help celebrate the centennial of the first flight. But he won't announce plans to resume manned flights to the moon.
From Fox News: President Bush did not include such a statement in his Wednesday speech at the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first air flight, as some analysts expected, but the White House may be poised to make such an announcement soon.
Also: Howard McCurdy, chair of the department of public administration at American University, agreed that Mars is the goal, but he doesn't expect the president to issue one grand space challenge. Bush is more likely to issue a series of objectives, perhaps during his State of the Union speech, than to make a big policy pronouncement, he said.
From The Washington Post: Despite a clamor in some quarters for Bush to announce a new space exploration initiative today, on the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight, the White House said repeatedly that unveiling a major initiative is not on the day's agenda.
From The New York Times: When President Bush decides on a new policy of space exploration for the nation, the goals will be realistic and achievable, the NASA administrator, Sean O'Keefe, said on Tuesday.
A Space Infrared Telescope Facility By Any Other Name
The last of the Great Observatories, NASA's SIRTF telescope will get a new name tomorrow, giving it a friendlier handle like those of Hubble, Chandra, and Compton. Also, the first images from the telescope will be released at the same time.
Two Tickets To ISS
Space Adventures announced yesterday that it has sold two Soyuz seats for upcoming flights, one as early as October as next year, and the other for 2005. If recent reports from Russia are accurate, this means that the first of those space tourists may be flying to the Station along with the Expedition 10 crew next year, and returning with Expedition 9.
The DVD Is Life
So it appears that 2004 may see the DVD release of the two properties most conspicuously absent from the format. We've already seen rumors that the original Star Wars trilogy may see a late 2004 release, and now DVDFile.com reports that Schindler's List may be released to DVD as early as March.
Sorry About That
Blogger's been down, so that's why there's only been two posts thus far. In fact, it ate my last post, so I'm about to have to redo it.
I'm Sorry, Dave
Think you understand "2001"? If this guy's right, you probably don't. Here are four common misconceptions about the story by Arthur C. Clarke, who turned 86 yesterday.
Happy Centennial Of Flight Day!
That said, for all the rumors that have been shaping up during the past few months regarding this day, so far I've heard of nothing really cool going on. Updates as they happen--or don't.
Addendum: You asked, I answered. Lain wanted updates on the Wright reenactment: "...a heavy downpour scuttled plans to re-enact the flight 100 years to the minute after the seminal event. ... If the weather improves, organizers planned to try the re-enactment later Wednesday, the climax of a six-day festival.
Addendum: "One-hundred years after the Wright brothers' first flight, an attempt to re-create the moment failed Wednesday when a replica craft couldn't get off the ground and sputtered into the mud. Organizers hoped to make a second try."
| | | :: Tuesday, December 16, 2003 :: |
Confessional
I got this idea from someone else's blog, who was posting it more for the list, but I thought I would add an element of naked honesty. This is imdb.com's list of the Top 100 movies. I'm bolding the ones I've seen, thus revealing rather embarrasingly the ones I haven't. I was a little surprised to realize I've watched fewer than half of them. I've seen all 10 of the top 10, 17 of the top 20, 21 of the top 30, 24 of the top 40, 27 of the top 50, 32 of the top 60, 35 of the top 70, 39 of the top 80, 43 of the top 90, for a total of 44 of the top 100.
1. Godfather, The (1972)
2. Shawshank Redemption, The (1994)
3. Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
5. Schindler's List (1993)
6. Citizen Kane (1941)
7. Casablanca (1942)
8. Seven Samurai (1954)
9. Star Wars (1977)
10. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
11. Memento (2000)
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
13. Rear Window (1954)
14. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002)
15. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
16. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981 )
17. Usual Suspects, The (1995)
18. Amelie (2001)
19. Pulp Fiction (1994)
20. North by Northwest (1959)
21. Psycho (1960)
22. Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
23. 12 Angry Men (1957)
24. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
25. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
26. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
27. Goodfellas (1990)
28. American Beauty (1999)
29. Vertigo (1958)
30. Pianist, The (2002)
31. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
32. Apocalypse Now (1979)
33. Some Like It Hot (1959)
34. Matrix, The (1999)
35. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
36. Taxi Driver (1976)
37. Third Man, The (1949)
38. Paths of Glory (1957)
39. Fight Club (1999)
40. Boot, Das (1981)
41. L.A. Confidential (1997)
42. Double Indemnity (1944)
43. Chinatown (1974)
44. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
45. Maltese Falcon, The (1941)
46. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
47. Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)
48. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001) AKA - Spirited Away
49. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
50. All About Eve (1950)
51. M (1931)
52. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
53. Raging Bull (1980)
54. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
55. Se7en (1995)
56. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
57. Wizard of Oz, The (1939)
58. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
59. Vita e bella, La (1997) AKA: Life is Beautiful
60. American History X (1998)
61. Sting, The (1973)
62. Touch of Evil (1958)
63. Manchurian Candidate, The (1962)
64. Alien (1979)
65. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
66. Rashemon (1950)
67. Leon (1994) (Known as 'The Professional' in the US)
68. Annie Hall (1977)
69. Great Escape, The (1963)
70. Clockwork Orange, A (1971)
71. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
72. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
73. Sixth Sense, The (1999)
74. Jaws (1975)
75. Amadeus (1984)
76. On the Waterfront (1954)
77. Ran (1985)
78. Braveheart (1995)
79. High Noon (1952)
80. Fargo (1996)
81. Blade Runner (1982)
82. Apartment, The (1960)
83. Aliens (1986)
84. Toy Story 2 (1999)
85. Strangers on a Train (1951)
86. Modern Times (1936)
87. Shining, The (1980)
88. Donnie Darko (2001)
89. Duck Soup (1933)
90. Princess Bride, The (1987)
91. Lola rennt (Run Lola, Run) (1998)
92. City Lights (1931)
93. General, The (1927)
94. Metropolis (1927)
95. Searchers, The (1956)
96. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
97. Notorious (1946)
98. Manhattan (1979)
99. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
100. Graduate, The (1967)
Also, I've seen 11 of their worst 100, but that's another list for another time.
Tai Chess
So Nicole and I were watching "Searching For Bobby Fischer" last night, which is an amazingly good movie that everybody should watch multiple times, and it got us to wondering what had happened to the real Josh Waitzkin during the past 10 years. AFter becoming an international master and one of the world's top players, he's still involved in promoting and teaching chess, though apparently no longer competes (I found a blog that wrote about him where someone claiming to be Waitzkin posted saying that he didn't burn out, but didn't address whether he still competes). However, he now competes in Tai Chi, and has won several national champtionship titles. So now you know.
Daily Hatbag
So long, Piggy!
TPK
For those that like tiny, tiny kitties and politics, this site's got it all.
You Can Be Blase About Some Things, Apple, But Not About Wal-Mart
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