Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Wrap A King Cobra Around Your Wrist


Regardless of how many different opportunities my father has seized to gift me a wristwatch or how many times I have tried to adopt one as part of my daily wardrobe, I have never been comfortable having something attached to my wrist. About a year and a half ago, that changed when the same friend who gave me the Benchmade knife of which I recently wrote took it upon himself to make me a survival bracelet. As I definitely never made any sort of display of enthusiasm for the exploration of the great outdoors, I have never been able to completely grasp what warranted such a gift. Maybe it was my unconscious dedication to self injury that brought him to it. I think he plays off my inability to avoid completely embracing anything given to me if it might have even the slightest bit of usefulness or style, but, since it only results in gifts, I think I can forgive him that trespass. Whatever it was, it landed that bracelet (whose black and tan fibers have appeared in previous posts), or some variant thereof, on my wrist every day since.


The concept of a survival bracelet is not original to him, nor is it anything new, but, as I said before, being classic and simple can be a good thing, and this is just one of those times. Now, it being a gift definitely might have shot any form of objectivity out the window, but the countless compliments definitely haven't hurt its case. Regardless, I think it's an interesting piece of kit with some practical, real world, applications. Of course, some people adorn their wrists with one for purely cosmetic reasons, and that might be regarded as a positive use, in and of itself, but I'm speaking of more utilitarian implementations. Basically, I want to talk about why its popularity has become more apparent amongst both outdoor enthusiasts and military personnel.


Whether referring to it as parachute cord (paracord), a hail to its airborne history, or using its strictly structural nickname, 550 cord, the material that makes up this bracelet has been in common use since before the second world war. It's incredibly versatile and incredibly strong material. The 550, itself, indicates that a single, but complete, strand can support a minimum 550 pounds of tension without failing. In other words, two gentlemen of considerable mass could suspend themselves on a single cord. That's probably why they used it in the parachutes of the second world war, but, once on the ground, those soldiers were able to break it down for other uses. Without altering it, it could be used to secure all kinds of gear and equipment to vehicles and trees, but modifications begin, it's utility grows exponentially. If beads are added incrementally, it can be used to estimate distance. If gutted, the internal strands (anywhere from seven to nine in each cord) can be used as fishing line or sewing material. After that, the sheath can be used for its elasticity. With all those uses, its popularity with the outdoor, or survival-oriented, community was inevitable. 


Many people simply carry a bundle of it in their pack while adventuring, but people started to wonder if there was a way to carry around a considerable amount in a practical and compact manner. I'm guessing that an ingenious person happened to have a lot of spare time on their hands to ponder such a concept, but, eventually, the idea of a bracelet came about. By bundling it up in such a manner, even someone with a somewhat compact wrist is able to carry fifteen to twenty feet of rope on them at all times. Should an emergency come up, they would simply need to unravel it and put it to use. So, though I appreciate the bracelet given to me, the desire to have one of different style and color was growing. Today, after months of emotional rejection of replacing it, I took it upon myself to make my own. While there are a lot of options out there, I decided on the simple King Cobra Weave with a Mathew Walker knot, and should anyone choose to make their own, there are plenty of guides online, including videos on YouTube.  It might be partially due to a background of sailing, but I found the knot work to be both simple and relaxing, and, after a day like yesterday, the experience was greatly needed. In the end, I wanted to share a couple pictures, and I recommend it for both its practicality and for the calming experience of making it. Once it's complete, it's surprisingly comfortable to wrap a king cobra around your wrist.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

This Is My Knife


In appreciation of the influx of viewers brought over by my recent post about TAD Gear, I thought it might be appropriate to start throwing in a few reviews of gear and gadgets. I don't intend to present myself as having any measurable level of expertise, but it couldn't hurt to share my opinion as a user. So, let me start off by sharing my thoughts on a simple folding blade that has earned a reserved parking space in my left front pocket. I will, however, start by saying that I think the most important knife choice anyone will make is not necessarily the one which drains their wallet the most. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with such upper end, collector level, knife purchases, far from it. I just don't feel I'm alone in believing that the most important knives, the ones we use most often, are the ones we have on us if and when we should need them. That's where this specimen fits in. The Benchmade 527 Mini Presidio Ultra proves itself as an excellent choice for everyday carry applications, and remains the one in my pocket. 


Now, before anyone gets upset, I'm not claiming that such a tool should be carried for defense reasons. Such a necessity could present itself, but I've come to learn that carrying a knife as often as possible proves worthwhile for more docile reasons. I never really felt the need to carry any kind of sharp object until I started working with an avid knife collector. Though he spent over a year trying to convince me I should, I never felt the need. Finally, he took it upon himself to buy me one as a gift. Well, anyone who knows me knows I can't help but feel both obliged and pleased to carry or use something given to me as a gift by someone who cares about me. So, from then on, I have carried it almost everywhere where I found it to be responsible and appropriate. It's been over a year, but I can't count how many times I've snapped it out. It's helped me open boxes in a pinch, cut a thread off some clothing that has started to come unraveled, cut some bandaging to size, and various other random actions. Plus, I actually think its a pretty attractive looking accessory. To start breaking it down, let me talk about the non-performance related aspects, or the positives of this blade while closed.


First of all, at 3.2 ounces, it has a respectable but manageable weight. That number may not mean much, but, to give a comparison, an iPhone weighs 4.8 ounces without a case. So, it's two thirds the weight of the trusty iPhone, and that's thanks, partially, to the metal liner being ingeniously milled out. Next, with a closed length of 4.15 inches, it's also quite compact and just a touch shorter than that same iPhone. If you are one to believe this knife's small blade size makes it unsuitable, I would just recommend carrying a larger knife in your pack, but, as far as general in-pocket applications, I think it's perfectly acceptable and doesn't fall short. Then, there is the handle material, which Benchmade refers to as Noryl GTX. I'm not going to go into specifics as to what it's made of, nor am I going to compare it to a bunch of other handles due to lack of exposure. I will, however, summarize and say that it must stand for some variant on the term "great traction" because this plastic provides a great amount of grip without being rough to the touch.



Still talking about the in-pocket benefits, let me touch on the clip itself, the little item that keeps it securely in your pocket. A typical complaint with more compact blades is that they have a tendency to jump out of th pocket, but the handle is cleverly secured to the handle using three screws near the very end, and that allows the blade to sit very low in the pocket. Working in unison with the handle on the other side, it fastens itself gently and securely to that same pocket without tearing it to pieces. Moreover, I don't know how intentional it may have been, but I find the indent at the end very practical to index with my thumb when removing it from my pocket. As far as other ingenious design accents, Mel Pardue smoothly introduced a lanyard hole near the clip which would allow the user to secure it to an even higher degree or just modify it for their own needs. I think that's enough about the closed benefits for now. So, though there was a teaser of a picture at the beginning of this post, let's open it up and take a look at some performance aspects. That is where a true knife shows its metal, no pun intended.


Where else could you start when talking about actuating a folding knife than by talking about the locking mechanism itself, and that is something Benchmade has truly turned into a work of mechanical art. I'm not going to go into the specifics, but what their work has resulted in is an ergonomic actuation and retraction that is easy with either hand. They have also managed to create a balance between being easily able to fold the blade with a single hand but creating a very secure lock once that motion is completed. To top it all off, it's lightning quick. It flips open quickly and effortlessly. Add it all together, and you can see what I mean about it truly being a small wonder.


Once opened, the knife is extremely balanced. I've never been extremely comfortable with any kind of blade, and I've definitely had my share of slips. Somehow, even though I find myself with a well-earned reputation of accidentally injuring myself, I have yet to let this blade split my skin. It's not the least bit on the clumsy side. It feels like the metaphorical extension of the hand to which people so commonly refer.


Now that we have it open, it's time to talk about the true heart of the knife, the blade, and, like always, its an aspect where Benchmade doesn't disappoint. As far as shape, it's a classic hollow-ground drop point, and, though that's a simple way to go, it's classic for a reason. It's practical, it's elegant, and it suits this three-inch blade perfectly. Material and production-wise, it's made of 440C steel, with an outstanding heat treatment, and it's hardened up to 5860, but those numbers might not mean much to most people. What does matter is that it's extremely durable and very resistant to rust. If you're worried about it rusting, let me just say that, even with as little as I care for it, such concerns have yet to present themselves. As far as cutting power, this blade is true to Benchmade's reputation. It's razor sharp out of the box, slices through boxes and such with no need to hack away, and it keeps an edge. Though I would recommend owning a sharpener, I have yet to need one. Add to that that Benchmade offers a lifetime sharpening service, and I can't imaging why anyone would worry about it.


The only complaint I could see is that this knife is a touch on the thick side in comparison to other ultra compact knife models, but I have never found that to be an issue. It's still absolutely manageable and feels good both in the hand and in the pocket.  So, I guess that covers the cool factor of the knife with regards to it being closed. If your just looking for simple practicality and a touch of clean design styling, Mel Pardue doesn't disappoint, and neither does Benchmade as a brand.


As far as value, with Benchmade setting a suggested retail of $90, I wouldn't say this is expensive, but it is a premium knife. You pay a little extra, but you aren't paying anywhere near the price of a Strider, and I don't think anyone is getting shorted. This is a knife that could last a lifetime if proper attention were paid, and, in my opinion, all of those beautifully engineered components, even just those to actuate the blade, would warrant the price tag. Of course it could be damaged through mistreatment, but, if one were to take care of it, it could easily be passed on to their offspring. In my opinion, that's a good value and a great reason to adopt it as a daily carry option.


Some would say that receiving it as a gift has tainted any form of objectivity, and though there may be some foundation to such a statement, I don't think I've ever done something I did not desire. Carrying this knife is something I do out of choice, and it's a choice I make proudly. If you look at the wear on the clip, you can easily tell I don't carry it lightly, but it puts up with the abuse. So, from a materialistic standpoint, it may not stand apart from the competition, but it's perfect for me. If you add to it that very fact, that a great friend bought it to introduce me to the everyday carry (EDC) scene, I would think replacing it would manifest itself a strenuous situation. Luckily, I really don't think that is much of a concern. Though I may bring it home some friends, I don't think I could ever replace it. I guess what I'm saying is that there are many like it, but this is my knife.

Calm Before The Storm


Since the mid 1800s, it seems people have been calling for "a little peace and quiet" (link below), and right now, thanks to Pandora (link below), I'm getting to experience just that. As that proposal might come off as somewhat of an oxymoron, let me clarify. Though I've always been aware of its existence and partaken in its service from time to time, lately, my dependence thereon has grown exponentially. About half the time that I find myself near my computer in the least, I open up a new browser tab, create a station to suit my mood, and wait as Pandora's internet radio service fires up the tunes. This afternoon, after a mere two tracks, the music stopped, and I had to investigate. I thought it may have merely frozen or been stuck on one of its prompts to ensure that I was still listening, but I was mistaken.

The rest of the screen seemed to disappear as my eyes focused on the sad sentence Pandora had cast me. Apparently, I had reached the limit of air time Pandora allows for its non-paying users, forty hours per month, and I had three options. Though not listed, the first option would be to stop listening until next month, but they also presented me with two other options, a reduced sentence if you will. I could either pay ninety nine cents to listen for free for the rest of the month or I could drop thirty six dollars and enjoy a years worth of their service with unlimited access and a desktop application. After sitting there, confused, for a couple minutes, I realized this was something I had to ponder, and closed the window.

Of course, there is always the option of using the application on my phone or creating another account, but I'm not a fan of abusing a privilege through such circumvention. Realizing that, I had to explore the reasoning behind the limit, and the explanation proved pretty simple. Apparently, Pandora pays royalties for each of the songs it plays. Though they insert advertising every now and then, after forty hours, at which point they lessen the amount of ads displayed, they have found it isn't economically responsible. Now that I realize Pandora is paying royalties on top of providing users with the amazing benefits of their music genome project, I can't help but feel requesting payment would be justified. That did, however, lead me to ponder something else.

Though I may have touched on it before, the internet has encouraged society to place a lower value on goods and services, and it's getting somewhat out of hand. We expect more and more, and we want to pay less and less. It's that simple. Now, with the amount of things we expect for free, I feel it has reached rock bottom with respect to responsibility. The only way I think that bottom could drop out is for people to expect to be paid for using quality goods and services, and I really hope we never stoop so far as to expect that. There are ads and such out there that balance the amount of content we can receive for free, but I feel there should be somewhat of a financial obligation and commitment to what we use. On the production end, money is being put in, and we are reaping the rewards. If we choose to continually partake therein, after some interpretation of a trial period, it's only fair that we pop open our wallet and show our appreciation.

I guess I should consider the forty hours of free music as a trial period to determine if I should continue enjoying the service, and reaching the limit revealed two things to me. First, reaching the limit puts me in the top ten percent of users in terms of usage time, and that's something with regards to which I feel a touch of pride. It feels like I completed an endurance race, and, honestly, I still feel fresh. The second thing it caused me to realize was that the choice of whether to continue or not has practically been made for me. The cost is pretty low, and, if I enjoyed it for forty hours, I think it's proved its worth. It would also make me feel less guilt about being a freeloader.

So, It only took a few minutes of that supposedly glorious silence to realize that it wasn't all its cracked up to be. It may be nice from time to time, but, after a while, it feels like it could stop a clock. In those few minutes between when it stopped and I fired up my iTunes, everything felt so slow and boring. Since I'm sure I want to continue with Pandora, all I have to do is decide which route to take, but that might take a few minutes. Soon, Pandora will, once again, pummel my computer's speakers. Just think of my iTunes collection as the calm before the storm.

Links:
Peace And Quiet: Idiom
Pandora Internet Radio: Website

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Hope To Come Out On Top


That's what my desk looked like earlier this afternoon, with the addition of a few post it notes, a pen and a cell phone piled on after the picture was taken. Though it may resemble the desk of someone preparing for the SATs, I can assure you those days are far behind me. Those are actually course catalogs, schedules and notes, and that might lead you to the true goal of this endeavor. At two o'clock this afternoon, my online registration appointment came up, and I started punching in call numbers like a mad man. After some forty five minutes, I had made my attempts at any course which might interest or benefit me in the least, and that is no exaggeration. The only classes that escaped my net were those closed to registration and duplicates of others on my list. Now, why would I take things to such an extreme?

Well, those who frequent this blog with some regularity might remember my post from the end of October entitled "The Class Is Full," but I'll summarize it in saying that my last enrollment experience was anything but successful. In an attempt to remedy the situation, I determined to attack the next opportunity in a much more proactive manner. So, in the weeks leading up to my registration time, I actively educated myself on the subject matter and scheduling of all courses to be offered, and I made a list of those that were of interest. I prioritized the list from most desired to least desired, and I filled a couple more pages with classes that held little in terms of scholastic gain but that would, in their own way, benefit me even a bit. Fast forward to a couple days ago, and I checked in on the lists of open courses, watching their virtual doors close one by one, but still keeping track of the trends of those still plausible. Not that I needed the digital reminder of my registration, but when my phone's alarm rang this afternoon, it was go time. I entered a series of numbers which has started to become all too familiar, complete a couple online prerequisite quizzes that had slipped my mind, and submitted my proposed schedule.

In the end, I was only able to successfully enroll in 3.0 units, but I didn't stop there and added myself to the waitlist sections of another 38.0 units. That may seem a little excessive, especially considering this is merely an intersession, but leaving sensibility to hinder my possible success did not seem reasonable or even logical. These are merely waiting lists, and they don't imply that I truly intend to find myself in that many hours of class. That would be absurd. They are merely attempts and reflections of my hope that at least a portion might stick and that I might find myself enrolled in enough classes to categorize as a full-time student's course load. That is what I intend to call myself, even if it takes until spring term classes begin in February. That would, however, present itself as a worst case scenario, and definitely a scenario I would prefer to avoid. I hope stacking the odds in my favor will have some positive impact in preventing such a drastic circumstance. I see it as a numbers game, and, much like the darker pages in the picture above, I hope to come out on top.

Friday, December 17, 2010

From The Sublime To The Ridiculous


Living in California, classifying the finding of any reference to Spanish language or culture as a any degree of a challenge would be ludicrous, but change the pretense to similar allusions to those exact aspects of French culture, and logic is rendered to the contest. Really, that's just an elaborate way of saying that it's easier to find something with a Hispanic touch than it is to find one with a French twist, no pun intended. Considering the purchase of a notably vast territory, the Louisiana Purchase (link below), once allowed us to double the physical size of our country, that puzzles me a bit. Though such references definitely prove themselves more common amidst the streets of those states within its confines, especially that which keeps its namesake, finding them out west remains more of a rarity. Attribute it to the extent of my French exposure, but I feel I have a particular knack for noticing any such public display or reflection, especially if I regard them as a misrepresentation. Last Friday materialized as just such an occasion, or event.


While driving down Market Street in downtown Riverside, I spotted an adult-centered boutique, and I just had to pull over to snap a picture. It may sound immature, but I found myself literally chuckling, and I felt an absolute compulsion to share the experience with a few key people in my life. Though I don't feel much concern of reproducing an image of a public display of this sort, since one of the employees seemed to be standing outside smoking, I made sure to obtain her consent, and I snapped a couple quick pictures for "a project". Due to the visible age of the lettering, I can only hypothesize that the owners of this establishment decided to give its name a French connotation. I don't know if it was an allusion to the 1972 Claude Berri flick, but, if it was, the spelling is incorrect. Either way, I think it's a failed attempt, but an attempt at what?


Through this French connection, I think they were attempting to accomplish two things, attach themselves to the perceived romanticism of the French language as well as the perceived distinction people grant it. Whether I believe the first aspect is a result of a misinterpretation of the Roman base of its dialects or not, I cannot deny its acceptance. Americans, in particular, tend to regard French as a beautiful language whose smooth words and pronunciations can melt the hearts of the fairer sex, and I can't deny that I have abused this knowledge at one or more instance, but they also attach a sense of a more exploratory sexual culture. Strangely, this fact puts it in direct conflict with the second part of my argument. Franco-centric culture remains regarded, worldwide, as a highly refined civilization with an appreciation of the finer things in life, and this is where I think they truly missed the boat.


Somehow, I just can't allow myself to associate any such level of distinction to an industry that lives in the shadows of my views of society. Whether they hail from true French roots or not, there are numerous ways in which such an attachment proves positive, from fine dining establishments like Le Cirque (link below) to retailers of finer goods like Le Petit Vendome in Los Angeles (link below) and Le Chateau in New York (link below). However, in this case, it just doesn't help. I am aware of the existence of such things as the Moulin Rouge, but those are aspects of every culture, and I don't think it should lend credibility to this. Adding the French masculine article, le, or any other form of French notation. doesn't remove any of the societal subversion which I attach to such a practice. Whether or not this store has a French-sounding name, those who walk through those doors will still be shopping for goods of a sexual nature. Though I don't have anything against such goods, I can't comfortably link the terms "discretion" and "distinction". Even though, generally, as the blog of the same name (link below) suggests, everything sounds better in French, I still don't think this can push all the way into the grounds of positive. Better than disreputable doesn't necessarily mean prestigious.


In the end, though the effectiveness of such application is somewhat based on the root and clarity of the words chosen, the largest portion of that possible success can be attributed to the subject matter. Since, in essence, this post refers to the use and misuse of French culture, I believe it might be appropriate to close with a mention of one of its most notable figures, Napoleon Bonaparte. Some 200 years ago, he explained that "du sublime au ridicule il n'y a qu'un pas," which translates to meaning that, much like my views on these misappropriations of the French tongue, it's just one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Links:
National Park Service: Louisiana Purchase
Le Cirque: Website
Le Petit Vendome: Website
Le Chateau: Website
Better In French: Blog

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Working On A Piece Of History


As much as I admire Howard Hughes, I would never dare classify myself as an aviator, or even a connoisseur of the aviation industry. Such aspirations seem to fall beyond my reach or ambitions, but I don't think it would be much of a stretch to stay I find myself drawn to the mechanical world. It doesn't feel like there was any way around it either. Not only did I spend a couple years studying Mechanical Engineering, but I am, after all, a guy. That's not to sound sexist in the least, but I've grown into a belief that I share my passion for machinery with almost everyone carrying a Y-chromosome. If you add in a felt responsibility to prove ones worth and valor, boom, there you have it. What do you have? You have every little boy looking up at the sky, watching the trails of the planes zipping around, even if they are so distant we can't even tell if they are moving, much less make out any fine detailing. When we are young, we play with little metal replicas of the jets flown by the Blue Angels, but, as we grow older, those little toys just can't cut the mustard. So, we go bigger, and we only let ourselves be limited by the degree to which we choose to forgo other financial responsibilities. In other words, we're only held back by the size of our wallet, or how much we can let ourselves spend without starving to death. Most everyone takes a plane from time to time, but we want something we can call our own. Some guys build model planes while some travel the skies in their own private jets. That seems like quite a jump. So, what about those in between?


That's where MotoArt (link below) and their sculptures come in. Born from the breeding of their passion for scrap metal and their childhood passion for aviation, Donovan Fell III and his business partner Dave Hall turn salvaged metal into functional art. I may be mistaken, but the entire opportunity seems to have come about purely by accident. In 1998, while the gentleman in charge of collecting their scrap metal was making his usual stop, Donovan noticed some abused parts that appeared to be remnants of planes much like those of his younger years in Southern California, and he was quick to work out a deal. After spending a few weekends restoring those chunks of metal, Donovan needed to find a use for them, and mounting them to a wall didn't seem reasonably feasible. That's when he was struck with the idea of sculptures based on single blades, and he quickly found his passion was shared and, of course, that he had a market. Though the company has branched out into creating pieces based on other aviation components, I can't help but think most people, like me, are still primarily drawn to the desks.


Each piece is unique, and each piece tells its own story. The orange desk at the beginning of this post is crafted from the flaps of a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, a military transport aircraft used by the Navy, Marines and Air Force in the early 1950s (link below). The green desk is carved from the wing of a North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber, a medium bomber flown by military groups across the world for nearly forty years, from the early 1940s until the end of the 1970s (link below). The red desk is labeled as a stabilizer wing desk and cuts itself from the body of a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jetliner, a primarily commercial airliner whose variants flew for forty one years, starting in 1965 (link below). Though this represents only a portion of their line, the last desk I chose to display is made from the flap of a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine propeller-driven transport aircraft whose versatility leaves its variants still in both production and service today, some 56 years after its first flight in 1954.



In my opinion, their perfected craft has brought together the beauties of more passions than I can currently summarize. In the spirit of the restoration community, they manage to bring new life to something that was destined to be destroyed. As those obsessed with the collection of antiques, they give a few more years to items that were destined to be discarded. They even manage to bring in the sector of society that finds pleasure in the repurposing of common, but ignored, pieces. They have combined form and function, and they allow people to not only bring a piece of aviation and art into their home, but leave their kids with a piece of history. Since it turns out they have a showroom in Los Angeles, I might find myself getting some hands-on exposure. However, though I find them beautiful and would love to call one of them my own, their pricing, which can go anywhere from $5,000 to $60,000, puts it in the category of things of which I might just have to dream. Well, I guess that's still more affordable than an actual functioning jet, and I might aspire to procure one as the centerpiece of my workplace. I can't help but attach some perceived pleasure to such a purchase, if only to be able to tell people that I'm working on a piece of history.

Links:
MotoArt: Website
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar: History and Description
North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber: History and Description
McDonnell Douglas DC-9: History and Description
Lockheed C-130 Hercules: History and Description

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Look Forward To Winter


Clothing, fashion and photography may not be a big part of my life, but they are the topic of this entry. I shot the picture above as part of a collaboration with R.R. and his blog (Indigo Navy, link below). R.R. and I have been friends for over eight years, and he asked for my input and assistance. His blog centers around those three subject matters, and he wanted to do a collaboration piece, part of his "Favorite Things" series. The idea is to capture an image of an item of clothing, or other style accessory, in one's possession that captures the essence of your identity. It doesn't have to be your favorite article of clothing, but it should be something that speaks to your personality. Then, of course, an explanation must be rendered. There were a few concerns. Basically, I don't have much of a clothing arsenal, I don't consider myself an expert on fashion, I consider my photography as sub par, I don't have much of a camera, the weather is atrocious, I prefer not to share images of myself, and I don't have a mannequin torso. As I count them, that's at least seven conflicts. So, the process seemed like it might stretch my comfort and abilities a touch, but I liked direction and the opportunity to work with a friend. So, I was on board. I attempted to capture not only the jacket itself but the essence of the jacket (outdoors), and I returned the material within a day's time. The image above is the result, and the material below is what I shared.




Founded in San Francisco in 1997 by Patrick Ma, Triple Aught Design (TAD Gear, link below) has planted its feet as a staple of gear in the niche market of upper-end outdoor equipment. They set out on a simple mission, a mission which they will openly and proudly discuss. They wanted to make the best gear possible and encourage them to explore the world. In my opinion, they not only succeeded, but they manage to surpass and reinvent themselves every year. I may sound like somewhat of a fan boy, but they've earned my business and support in an honest manner. 



As most others, I found them, and their original retail store (image above), through the channels of word-of-mouth, and there is a little joy in being part of a select, underground group that shares a common passion for a somewhat hidden commodity. I'm not going to lie and deny the presence of any semblance of elitist mentality, but I do believe that taints the action. There is no sense of exclusivity with regards to those unaware of the product. Those who wear this gear feel the compliments and are quick to invite others in, and that applies to the staff as well. Their personality and fantastic customer service, especially in their retail location, is beyond approachable. They don't consider people customers. They consider them fellow enthusiasts. After a few visits, I was quickly able to count the manager, and poster child, of their retail store as an actual friend, and I don't mean that in a strictly business sense. 




Thanks to a new marketing team, their gear has been picked up by a few style blogs, and that part about having to explain and introduce their gear to the uninformed has become less necessary. The did open a second retail location (image above).They didn't, however, sellout and cut costs to keep up with a growing customer base. They stepped up their production, but the quality is still the same, and if it sells out, it's gone, end of story. They don't bring gear back because that would go against the mentality of improving it at the next cycle. They move on. Of course, they make a few packs and accessories, but their pride and joy is their clothing line, or more precisely, their jackets.


I might own a lot of TAD Gear jackets, but there's something about the Explorer jacket (link below) I picked up at the end of the summer that has me wearing it more than the rest. It definitely isn't the priciest or the highest performance of the bunch, but it's different. Unlike the others, this one sports a semi-rigid collar (as opposed to a hood) and forgoes any patch panels. Add to that that it's made of a somewhat more textured Rhino-Hide material, and I find it a lot more suitable for school and for just general about-town adventures. That seems to be about the most exploring I have asked of it, but, true to its namesake, I don't think it would let me down in the least should I decide to do some light outdoor adventuring. I know I made the decision to buy it more of stylistic reasons than of performance necessities, but trusting it wouldn't let me down if I should choose to test it is reassuring to say the least.


For the same prices, many would have bought gear from Arc'Teryx (link below), but, though I respect the quality of their product, I wouldn't. I feel a sense of loyalty to a store that has gone out of its way to provide me with the best customer experience possible, and the gear definitely doesn't fall short of expectations. It exceeds them at every turn. Add to that my personal connection to one of its employees, and there is no way I would shop anywhere else. I didn't settle on their gear. I chose it, and the only regret I have is not making that choice sooner. Thanks to them, I look forward to winter.

Links:
Indigo Navy: Blog
Triple Aught Design: Website Explorer Jacket
Arc'Teryx: Website

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All reader comments and my replies are found in the comments section below.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Return To Decency


Every so often, someone in possession of my contact information finds it appropriate to drop an atom bomb into my little bubble. I'm not saying that it's always the same person, and I'm not saying that it's always the same contact method, but I can guarantee that it has yet to be positively received. Though I wouldn't expect it to be their intention, such actions rub me in the most uncomfortable manner. I'm not talking about sexting. My views on that matter are formulated on a case-by-case basis. I'm talking about the openly disseminated pornographic images that keep finding their way onto my screen. I might be considered by some as old-fashioned, but that's one thing of which I am not ashamed.

As the years pass us by, it feels this is becoming more and more common practice. I guess that, given the tools, there are people who will choose to misuse them. Since the acceptance of smartphones as a staple of our society, these messages have increased exponentially, especially in relation to the number of your contacts. Not only have these devices made it easier for people to commit such invasions of my privacy, but they have boosted the amount of channels by which such attacks might occur. I could blame the technology, but that would blame would be improperly dispensed. I would much prefer to blame a disturbing trend which I have noticed in our society.

For some reason, pornography has become socially acceptable. I would like to attribute this to the simple facts of life as a civilization progresses, but that would imply a positive turn. As civilizations proceed, one would expect moral standards to shift, and it's something which has been apparent for centuries, but I believe it has gone too far. It used to be highly frowned upon for anyone to be caught enticing their senses with some pornography, but, in this technology-centered world, it seems the entire concept has been openly embraced. People seem to have no discomfort discussing the act of looking at pornography. It seems the stigma is gone and that people feel no shame in comparing notes on different works much like a movie. Its normalcy has become classified in as almost equivalent to that of drinking coffee.

Some people may have issues with the exploitation of pornography, but, though I understand their position, I don't have any problem with the existence of pornography.  I do, however, have a problem with the deterioration of the moral standards of our culture. I don't believe it should be considered civilly responsible to partake in such an open acceptance and distribution of such images and videos. It materializes the decay of the moral fabric to which I believe we should cling. In my eyes, pornography is a dark area. If you are a Christian, it falls in the area of sin. Now, I'm not a preacher, nor do I intend to be, but I do find myself thinking such crude actions should come with the attachment of shame. It's not a graceful display, and ones explorations should be kept within the confines of their mind. Sending it about cyberspace and talking about it openly is putting it into the mainstream, far from where it should dwell.

Now, I know I may be starting to sound quite Amish, but such messages stretch the comfort level of any friendship and they cause me to judge the person responsible for sending it my way. I shouldn't be in the position to judge someone, nor do I wish to be. However, we all spend some time sizing up those around us, and, in this case, it allows me to put that person's moral character more in line my personal perception of that person. To put it simply, those that forgo such actions are placed in higher standing in my book. I'm not saying that my opinion is that relevant, but I don't believe I am alone, and everyone wants approval from those for whom they care, their friends and family.

So, let me wrap things up. I don't care if it's a text message, a multimedia message, or an email. I don't care if I am simply part of the flow of a highly circulated message. I don't care if they find it so breathtaking that they have to share it. I don't care if they couldn't stop laughing and thought I might enjoy it. I wouldn't, I don't, and I would prefer they kept it to themselves. I already don't like the messages, and I really don't like having to feel a need to explain why I might be blushing when I publicly check my phone. If you must know, it's because I'm embarrassed, and it's because of having such messages sent to me. If they could keep it to themselves, I would be greatly pleased. No, I don't want a warning added to prepend these message. I just want them gone all together. As I choose not to send any such messages out, I wish people would realize I would prefer not to receive them. I guess I'm calling for a return to decency.

That's Up To You


Dear AT&T,

     Our relationship was born of a surplus of excitement. We paired up amidst the confusion of the summer months between my high school and college years. Finding out that Sprint would not provide adequate coverage in Davis left me heartbroken, but you were there to pick up the pieces. You put a Motorola Slvr into my hands, and seeing those four solid bars in my dorm room made me feel I hadn't lost touch with the family I left in San Jose. The Slvr was loyal and reliable, but you introduced me to Apple and its iPhone. I was anxious, but I was excited. Since then, our little love triangle has been amazing, and I don't regret a minute of it.

     Many people may have complained about you deserting them, leaving them high and dry with no reception, stranded. I was a little worried, but I trusted you, and I always advocated your power and support. Some complained of being able to shield their phone in such a way that no calls could be made, but I wouldn't hear it. I couldn't blame Apple or AT&T. You two have always been fair to me, and I dismissed the entire plausibility as a result of their own malpractice. Though I have yet to bring a new iPhone 4 into my life, I have never had any such conflict with my ability to stay connected. Even at the peak of Whistler Blackcomb (Whistler, BC), I was able to keep in touch with my loved ones.

     I wouldn't say we had many, but we did have our fights. There were those times I wanted to upgrade my hardware prematurely, but you wouldn't let me. There were those times I reconsidered my commitment level and wanted to cut down the time for which I was paying you. No, I'm not trying to make you sound cheap. I just felt I was putting in too much and not getting anything in return, but you wouldn't have it, and you told me how much I would suffer for such a choice. Our biggest fight had to be on that very same trip to Whistler. You made sure I wouldn't be left alone, but you hit me with the biggest bill I have ever seen. It may have been jealousy or simply anxiety about my distance, but I wasn't shopping around for another carrier. I was surfing the internet, but you should have known I would come back to you. As I look back on everything, it seems most fights were born of my foolishness, and you were always there to calm me down. We stuck together, and I'm glad we did.

     Yesterday, I made the poor choice of posting some poorly chosen words to my Twitter page (which I have attached as "evidence"). It was a simple tweet, but maybe I shouldn't have expressed my intent to upgrade my iPhone 3GS to an iPhone 4. I'm sorry. I know it may seem cruel, but, though a supportive companion, my iPhone 3GS is starting to show its age. I have abused her, but she stuck by me. Lately, she's a little sluggish, barely responding to my requests, and even then at her own leisure. I know it's conceited, but I feel people are judging me for not moving on. I will not forget her, but I feel I must let her go. I thought I was merely telling my friends, or the few people that choose to follow my tweets, but that was a peace you quickly stole from me.

     This morning, I received an email telling me that you had heard my words (once again, below), and you were now following my musings. I felt trapped. I felt as if my privacy had been invaded. In my eyes, you were showing your spiteful side again. I felt even more hurt when you brought your friend, RCE Tracking, into the ranks of my Twitter followers (again, below). In your e-stalking attempt, which you may have felt would go unnoticed, you announced yourself as the metaphorical Cheetah chasing me through these plains. Though TheGeorgeF reassures me my mountain scaling abilities are similar to that of the Gazelle, I wish it hadn't come to this. I don't like feeling such distrust. I was not trying to hide from you (I am even showing you now), and I didn't want to leave you. You say you want to send me some fabulous and enticing offers, but you didn't need to take it here. You are only cheapening our relationship and causing tension where none need be.

    I know this may come across as somewhat of a rant, and I did draw some inspiration from Jeramey Kraatz and his Google Documents breakup letter, but I think we can work things out. I just wanted to let you know how I feel, and I hope you will take it with some civility. At this point, I still plan to get an iPhone 4, but I'm going to meet in the middle and listen to your request to wait until April. That seems fair, and I can abide. This may appear as a feeble attempt to cover my tracks, masking my missteps, and, to a degree, it may be, but it's more than that. We have come too far to throw it all away. From now on, I'll watch what I say. Even better, I'll hope not to think it.  In the end, I'll say it again. I just wanted to get it out there, and I hope you understand. Twitter asked me at the bottom of those emails, "What's Next?" I really don't know. That's up to you.

Sincerely,

Sizzle

Attachments:
E-Mail and Tweet: Evidence

Monday, December 13, 2010

Paths of Hate


Four years ago, Platige Image (link below) teased the world with a brief, but cleverly composed, trailer of an upcoming animated feature. I don't consider myself any degree of an animation fanatic, but this was not a work I could ignore. Though its title is an allusion to the trails left by fighter planes as they streak through their airborne battleground, a quick look at the trailer yields the inevitable conclusion that the film is more of an exploration of the human soul. Charting a course on an endeavor of creating a war-based feature, it's far too easy to stray into the common path of portraying the brutality of its blood-filled battles, but Damian Nenow managed to take a different direction. 

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with captured the possibility for beauty that lies within such brutal acts. I am truly a huge fan of such dramas, even those that border on the realm of documentaries. Now that I think about it, I am actually a huge supporter of the documentary-style productions and the ability of those in the motion picture industry to reenact a true story while adding a touch of their own artistic styling. However, there is something about the power of a feature that chooses to focus on the complexity and demons of the human soul itself. They manage to dive into the human psyche in ways that truly can captivate an audience. They allow us an opportunity to attempt to understand the state of mind of individuals and characters we have never met. They allow us to step inside their mind and walk the metaphorical mile in their shoes. There is no greater puzzle that the human mind, and we jump at the opportunity to understand and possibly relate to that of others, especially the characters to whom we attach some level of mystique. 

This is just one of those cases, and, being an animated feature, I feel it can emphasize and exaggerate emotions and actions in ways most movies couldn't dream. Filming the scene doesn't have to be physically feasible or even economically logical. It doesn't matter if there is no way to get that position for the camera or to make that event occur. It doesn't even matter if the action or emotion would be tough to force even the best actor to duplicate. All it takes is a dedicated artist with a pen (or a graphics tablet) and a vision, and I can't help but admire their work. This self-proclaimed "dynamic tale about [sic] hatred" which draws the audience "into the middle of the fight, of [sic] unknown origins" as an absolutely beautiful exploration of human nature.The movie allows us to feel what such fighter pilots might have felt without having to strap on those goggles and trade shots with silhouettes in the distance. We don't have to feel the pressure of having bullets whistle past our ears, and we get to go home safely after the credits roll.

Well, though almost four years have passed from its originally intended release date (spring 2007), the Polish design studio has finally thrown its name out there again and hit the world with two trailers. The first was a thirty second teaser (link below), but the second was a full-length version (video above). After seeing these previews, I think the wait will prove itself as having been worthwhile, and I can guarantee that I will make every effort to watch it on the big screen, even if that involves a drive to Los Angeles. Though I recommend watching the trailer to make an informed decision, I recommend it to anyone reading, especially anyone who likes war movies, dramas or animation. You may notice this is the first post with an embedded video, and I thought it justified to dedicate such an experiment to "Paths of Hate".

Links:
Platige Image: Website
Paths of Hate: Short Trailer 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The "Ph" Doesn't Help


There's always been something fun about glow-in-the-dark accessories, but there is just something about these new Nooka Mercury (link below) glasses that puzzles me. The thoughts are like a bad cold, and I just can't seem to shake them. I guess Blaise Pascal was right, "you always admire what you don't understand". I really can't wrap my hands around what would lead someone to find any practicality in the application of glow-in-the-dark technology to a pair of sunglasses. So, I did a little research.

The concept is, of course, pretty simple. These sunglasses would appear light blue in the daytime, but would glow a vividly fluorescent green at night. The whole glow-in-the-dark concept is nothing new, and this definitely isn't pushing the limits of its application, and neither are the lenses. They aren't even polarized. What confused me was the concept of wearing sunglasses at night. Since Nooka is listed as retailer of luxury goods (I think that's a stretch), I thought I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. This company may be pretty new to the scene, but they definitely don't find themselves in a shortage of respect from hipsters. That's when it hit me.


They are attempting to market them to the small sector of our society that finds it stylish to wear sunglasses in the club. No matter how much Corey Hart sang about it in the 80s (link below), I just can't embrace the practice. Though my club exposure may be light, I never noticed the need to shield myself from any bright lights. It just feels like a proclamation of your foolishness. It's attempting to extend accessories that may be suitable in the day into a night-time scene, and I think it sends a bad message. Wearing sunglasses indoors, at night, can only lead people to assume that either your fashion sense is misguided or that you are attempting to hide your wandering eyes, and neither one of those is a positive reflection on yourself. I guess, now that I think about it, I'd like to suggest that all the self-proclaimed players out there ditch the shades and join the rest of us. I know styles make a comeback, but this one shouldn't have. It didn't work in the 80s, and I really hope it doesn't work now.


Well, I guess, now that I've explored it, I can come up with a solid stance on the subject. Though, as they don't appeal to my attempt at style, I wouldn't have expected myself to purchase any of Nooka's products, I know I won't be getting any of these. I think their products are really fun, and I can see their appeal to a few of my friends that come to mind. I just don't know how I'll react if I find out they like them, much less if they actually bought a pair. As I went into this, I was puzzled, but I was also intrigued, and I honestly considered them, at least as a fun option to throw into my drawer, but that has change. I think my abused wallet will thank me for that conclusion. I guess the French mathematician was right. At first, I was puzzled, but I found them entertaining and, to a degree, captivating. Now that I understand them, I don't like them. I guess you can call this my first official hater post, but it feels like a fashion tragedy. It just makes you look like an idiot in my book. Unless your name is Kanye West and you happen to be pushing your new trend of shutter shades, take them off. Actually, you too Kanye. If it was, in fact, such an awesome idea, why would they be such a hot-seller at the Halloween Store (link below)? It doesn't matter if you think misspelling the word "fresh" makes it sound more legitimate. You still look foolish, and the "ph" doesn't help.

Links:
Nooka: Mercury
Corey Hart: Sunglasses at Night
Halloween Store: Shutter Shades

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Image Shift


No, that's not me enthusiastically throwing my thumbs up. It's Benjamin Curtis, and, if he seems familiar, that's because he was the spokesperson, the poster boy, for Dell Computers from 2000 to 2003. I could talk about his marijuana arrest, but what I would prefer to talk about is the concept of a changing image. Much like him, the company he represented has witnessed their image shift, and, in neither case, was it in a positive manner. Benjamin Curtis used to be viewed as an eccentric television personality, but, nowadays, any mention of his identity is bound to bring up nothing but the controversy of his endeavors as a funky little stoner. Similarly, Dell has had to spend the last few years suffering their own sizable share of bad press and a decline in their power. Please note, however, that any information that follows is from personal experience and exposure, at the mainstream level, and that it does not reflect a level of research in brand or commercial prominence. That does, arguably, put it from the perspective of the common consumer, and I don't think its exploration could hurt. So, on it goes.

Though a verbal attempt might prove more successful, I'll attempt to iterate my thoughts textually. What I've been noticing is that while it used to be "Dude, you're getting a Dell!!!", in the past few years, "Dude, you're getting a Dell?!?" would be a more common assessment of public perception. If an explanation of that last observation might help, I'm trying to articulate that getting a Dell used to be viewed in a much more positive light than it is seen nowadays. It hasn't just lost steam. The ownership of their products has almost accepted a negative connotation, and this all relates back to my previous post on branding.

Part of it has to do with sub par computing performance and style, but, much as I detailed yesterday, proliferation of a brand and image is crucial to economic success. Not everyone can be an expert on everything, and, as such, we choose to attach a high level of importance to the opinions of those we trust. We look to experts for support and guidance. A lot of it, however, doesn't come down to boiling down numbers. Most of our decisions seem to come from social image. Though, in a sense, it speaks to our vanity, we, as consumers, want to have the best and coolest possessions. Some of it is due to our felt need and the actual utility of the item, but some of it comes from what we imagine others will think of us. Every little bit, but especially a large and personal purchase like a computer, speaks to our style, and we want to feel some sense of certainty in having a suitable product in our hands. Since, once again, we may not consider ourselves experts, we turn outward for guidance. Sometimes, we look at numbers, but, mainly, we look for what the experts are saying. I'm not talking about experts on the item. We usually attach the most importance to those we regard as peers or those we look up to. We turn to our friends and to the media. Usually, that means turning to the TV and other forms of press, and that's where the power of image comes into play.

Apple, on one hand, is ruthless in both its quest for design and its lack of modesty. It has no fear of pushing other companies down and publicly calling out their flaws. Dell, on the other hand, spends most of its money making up ground. It's playing a catch up game, almost as if trying to apologize for lack of performance and prove itself once again. Due to both Apple's larger marketing budge and this difference in their tactics, we have seen Apple rise in market power and in the public eye while watching Dell sink into the shadows. Sure, Dell is still there, but anyone in the field of aesthetics and design or most people simply conscious of public image tend to speak more highly and more proudly of Apple. I, for one, am a supporter of Dell and have had success with their products, but, nevertheless, that's the breaks.

That's the power of marketing and its proven every day. It can often be used in an advantageous manner, much as with Apple, but it can also have a negative connotation, as with Dell. It sometimes hurts to say it, but we live in a media age of public perception, and it's all a race to keep a positive connotation to our brand. We try to reap its bounty, but we attempt to avoid its wrath. I'm talking about the raw power of an image shift.

Self-Marketing


Not everyone shares in the common experience of working in retail, but everyone works in sales. It's not a day job, it's not a career, and it's not a choice. It's a lifestyle, or at least part of one, and everyone adapts it to fit their personality and identity. Whether the rent is paid from engineering work, from a marketing firm, or from a customer service position is almost entirely irrelevant. This whole pitch might be starting to come across as somewhat of a stretch or even down right illogical, but it's not. I'm talking about the entire concept of pushing ourselves as a hot-ticket item. It's bordering on a human instinct, but we can't help but try to sell our selves every day. Some may think of it as a drive, or carving their own slice of the pie, and it is, in a sense, but that's what sales is too. We have to convince others to give us what we think we deserve. Why, however, would they give it to us instead of anyone else? That's why we spend so much of our time and effort marketing ourselves. We try to sell ourselves as a brand, a desirable commodity that they would be a fool to pass up.

That's where social networking media comes into play. Whether your search is for a job, a career, or something else more conceptual, these have come into play as a veritable chess piece. Together, they are a tool which, if used correctly, can find their way into the ranks of being classified as an asset. So, how can this be helpful for financial and personal gain?

As the internet proves itself as more and more of a battlefield, an attempt at a leveled playing field, which gathers information about everything and everyone, employers have started to take a look. I'm not just talking about a search for entertainment. I'm talking about employers using this cyberspace as a marketplace of talent. When it comes to employment opportunity, some play a more pivotal role than others, but, as they allow the viewer the convenience of both time and location, almost all of them show their face. Basically, since they don't require an interview, these systems give those on the hiring end of things the chance to compare different prospective employees at their leisure. So, when used correctly, these tools can be used to promote ourselves and increase our chances. That's where the whole branding and self-promotion come in. It may sound egotistical and conceited, but it can effectively yield profit. Just like any product being sold, reputation is pivotal. Goods of similar quality and performance can be separated instantly by the power of image. In this case, we are a good, a commodity, and being the popular kid, and especially the respected and knowledgeable kid, can throw us to the top of the roster. Making ourselves into a powerful brand can make us the metaphorical cream of the crop, and everyone wants to get the best of the best.

When you think of it as such, you might start to give credit to the stigma placed on social networking sites as source of proliferation for the debauchery of youth, but I think that's wrong. It may seem like an absolute waste of space where people show off their shenanigans, but I think that, in its own way, is a means of projecting our humanity. I'm not saying it will help land any legitimate form of employment, but work only makes up a third of our waking hours. The rest is up for grabs. Mediums such as Facebook and blogs (like this) speak to our personality, and they helps sell us as a person, an individual, and it just might lead to something more. I'm not saying that every blog, or even mine, is a push towards anything, but it has the power to be, but what? Well, as solitude just doesn't taste quite right, people choose to surround themselves with others, but it's a selective process. We can't have just anyone as a friend, much less as a partner in an intimate relationship. So, we go about life like a football coach, meeting people, sometimes getting close, but making cuts to weed out those whose friendship we would rather forgo. We might settle, but we would all prefer the sparkling Ferrari to the beat-up Oldsmobile (no offense to Oldsmobile). So, we meet people, and we learn about them, sometimes through social networking media, and the good brands stick out. Then, if things might work out, we do what we can to make it our own. We try to convince people, just like employers, to give us a chance, try us out, and we attempt to prove that they will be satisfied with the choice.

In the end, whether it be for economic or immaterial person gain, we sell ourselves everyday. We may not have a shop, but we push ourselves as a brand. We want others to see us as the marshmallow in the breakfast cereal and get excited when we meet. So, we make a name for ourselves, staking a claim to what we wish to possess, and that's what we call self-marketing.

Carrot On A Stick


Once again, attempting to reestablish itself as an originator of fun and free-thinking, Volkswagen started a little project nicknamed "The Fun Theory" (link below). The idea was simple, encourage good deeds of the general public through fun incentives. Somehow, even after a bit of research, I'm unable to pinpoint the date of conception, but, based on their Facebook page, I would venture a guess that the contest began just a year ago. I guess that's not really important though. What is important is that the winner has been selected, and we get to see if the concept is successful. So, what amazing idea might have won such a contest?



Well, it may come as no surprise that, as the whole idea was sponsored by Volkswagen, the winning idea centered around motorized transit, or cars to put it in simpler terms, and it came from the United States. After submitting his idea, Kevin Richardson was able to see his idea brought to life in Stockholm, Sweden, and it's an interesting twist on an common practice. Most anyone in the industrialized world, at some time or another, has come into contact with a traffic camera, especially if they live near a major metropolitan area. They may not have had to suffer its wrath, but most people are at least aware of both their presence and their function. I'm not going to go into the science and mechanics of it, but they are installed to photograph traffic violations and cite the offender without having to station an officer on site. These cameras work 24 hours a day, with no breaks and minimal upkeep, and they are on constant vigil. A lot of people might hate them, but Kevin Richardson decided to take a new spin on the concept. While still flagging offenders, his idea, labeled "The Speed Camera Lottery", was to use those same cameras to catch pictures of the other half, those obeying the law. The signs (image above) would have a digital read out to show people their speed (green for legal and red for a violation), but, more importantly, they would create a lottery system. The people found offending would pay their fines as usual, but that money would be put into a lottery fund to be randomly distributed to those obeying the law. Though I still recommend looking through the entries, I would strongly encourage at least watching the video they made (link below), but I'll summarize it either way.

The whole concept, once applied, turned out to be very well received and a positive influence. Sure, there might be some bias in the interviews shown to the public, but everyone shown seemed to be in favor. Everyone is expected to obey the speed limit, and those who don't are penalized, but that hasn't seemed to stop the trend. Well, adding in some kind of reward lowered traffic speeds by 22% and you can't help but think it brought about some smiles. I, for one, am a fan of the project, and I find it very satisfying to see implemented, no matter what the hidden marketing motives might be. It turns out, that, if you make it fun, people will do good things. I know that may not seem like a stretch of a concept, but it hadn't been put to enough use. The fun theory changed that, if even just a little, and proved that, if you want people to do good things, all it takes is a carrot on a stick.

Links:
Volkswagen Fun Theory: Website Facebook
Speed Camera Lottery: Video

Friday, December 10, 2010

Chrome Laptop


Reading that title, you probably expected to see a sleek new laptop with a metallic finish, and this picture (above) must have thrown you for a loop. That's because I'm not talking about the finish or the materials at all. I'm talking about the new CR-48 laptop running Google's new Chrome Operating System, and I'm only talking about it because of how much its concept has mystified me the last few days. I haven't found myself confused so much by its design and components as much as I have been desperately seeking an answer as to what might be so new about it. Well, to save others some time, let me summarize what I have come to understand.

Over the last few years, after seeing the popularity of internet-focused netbooks, programmers and engineers have been working on a completely new operating system. Though it isn't slated to be available for installation to other systems, it will be available installed on new computers. Since they have finally revealed working prototypes and distributed them selectively, it has become evident that it is a linux-based operating system focused on moving most of the computing process to a virtual, web-based realm. Moreover, the operating system has been streamlined, even including keeping the computer from attempting to boot from removable media. That part may sound a little complex, but, basically, the whole concept of using a disc (removable media) to boot the computer is a dated concept, and attempting to boot from those devices first creates an unnecessary lag. So, considering that they are attempting to steer most computing towards a virtual realm (a concept they call "chromoting") and that they are attempting to streamline the operating system, I can only assume they are trying to increase the felt speed and efficiency of low-cost systems with low-power processors. Well, after a few testers throwing up their reviews, it seems to be a success, and they are managing to create the equivalent of netbooks with lightning-quick startup times.

So, other than a little more efficiency on a low cost, what could this new, supposedly revolutionary, system provide? Well, after watching one of their promotional videos (link below), the benefits of moving traffic to an virtual realm become evident. Let me summarize. The gentleman in the video is working on a document, or a project, on his computer, but people keep coming into the room and destroying it. Each time, he is brought a replacement, and, after a quick startup, he is back to where he left off. How could this be? Well, as is the intended use of this system, his document was on Google Documents, and none of the data was stored on the hardware of the system itself. As such, he was able to jump right back in.

After thinking about the whole system, though it materializes as a definite shift in computer operating system technology, I think it came too late. About five or six years ago, as people were still concerned about the failure rate of computing hardware, it might have been nice not to have vital information stored on it. People spent a lot of time and money duplicating and backing up their information in order to ensure its security. Nowadays, hardware and software is almost idiot-proof, and I can't even remember the last time I actually had such a malfunction or failure affect me. Though, to me, that seems like enough security and peace of mind with regards to information, some people even go so far as to back up most of their files to an external hard drive or a thumb drive. So, considering that, I can only think of a couple scenarios that would justify ownership of such a system. The first situation I can think of is that you are the type of person who finds themselves consistently having accidents that damage or destroy your hardware. That type of person would probably benefit from storing their information in such locations as Google documents, or moving it to an external source (thumb/flash or external drive) but there is nothing to stop them from doing that now. The only thing gained by switching to a CR-48 or the like would be the somewhat low cost of replacing their hardware without having to deal with slow, overburdened netbooks common today. The second type of person that comes to mind is someone who consistently finds themselves moving about, never with a laptop, and needs consistent access to their information. Once again, this person would greatly benefit from either carrying a flash drive or moving their intellectual property to an online medium, and, once again, there is nothing stopping them from doing that now. I don't even think they would gain much from buying such a laptop because, if they are the type of person who can't remember a netbook, I don't think they would remember to bring any other form of laptop or notebook. From a business-level standpoint, cloud computing holds a lot of possibilities, but I'm trying to look from a consumer (me) standpoint. Keeping everything in a virtual realm is great system for those people, and cloud computing is a major step up from remote desktops and virtual private networks, but I guess I find myself analyzing this from a personal perspective. I am a consumer with no such needs, and I think I share that place with a majority of society.

So, in the end, it's a new and fantastic technology, a leap in functionality, but that doesn't make it needed. I think it came too late, making it almost obsolete and irrelevant at release. If you find yourself in the market for an inexpensive laptop or netbook when these things hit retailers sometime next year, I don't think you would be disappointed. It's slated to be an inexpensive ($300-400) alternative to higher end laptops, still present a relatively respectable operating speed but at a lower cost. I just can't endorse it as anything that someone should go out of their way to obtain. I could be proven wrong by the user feedback that will follow (it was only released three days ago), but it's just not for me (even though I'm a huge Google and Google Chrome browser fan). I know it may sound jaded and smug, but, with the way the electronics market looks these days, a Macbook is about as close as I'll probably let myself get to saying I bought a chrome laptop.

Links:
How to Remain Calm Despite What's About to Happen to Your Chrome Notebook: Video

Keys Made New


This morning, I noticed that I somehow managed to obliterate one of my keys, and, until now, I considered that an impossible feat. Sure, I have heard many stories of people snapping their keys in a lock, but I hadn't ever considered the possibility of damaging the gripped portion. I guess I managed to prove myself wrong. All it took was a quick trip to Home Depot to salvage the situation and get me back on the road of life, but removing that key from the ring drew my attention to the placement of each of the other keys. From a quick glance, people might think the arrangement of my keys is, like most everyone else's, haphazard, a random assortment of pieces thrown together in a truly utilitarian manner, but they would be wrong. There are specific reasons for everything from the contents to the condition to the arrangement, and it speaks, in a way, to my sentimental side.

Let's start with the plastic. Starting on the left of the pictured set of keys, you might notice the edge of my Albertson's card peeking out. Though I don't find myself shopping there, I keep it there as somewhat of a reminder and a nudge. Since I arrived, TheGeorgeF and his girlfriend have been on a quest to collect points towards a free skillet, and these points are only obtainable through continued purchases. The skillet itself is nothing to drool over, but there's something enticing about completing a challenge and earning a simple reward. Since I can't help but want to contribute, I keep that card as a subtle suggestion to drag my feet and my dollars through those doors and bring Albertson's some of my grocery business. Right next to that card, you can't miss my Ralph's Rewards card, and it's definitely gotten its fair share of use. Ralph's is the closest grocery store to our house, and it's where I do most of my shopping. The people are kind, the selection is solid, and the prices are reasonable. If you take that into account and add to it its proximity to our house and its sharing a parking lot with a Jack in the Box, a Shell station, a sushi restaurant and a mail center, I can't think of any reason I wouldn't frequent its aisles. 

Moving on to the actual keys, you might notice the one on the left is the simplest and that it is a simple piece of metal. That's the key to our front door, and it's one I rarely use. We all enter the house through the garage, and I find little use for it, but I must keep it for those rare instances (and to return to the landlord on my departure). It's just a placeholder, of sorts, stored there for safe keeping. There's not much else to say about it. Let me skip over the red key for a moment to talk about the blue key. This is the key to my parents' home in San Jose, and it's the reason I found myself going to home depot. When I wrapped my knuckles around the wheel of my first car, a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT (that's quite a long name), I needed my own keys, and my mom set me up with this illuminated model. It was a really sweet gesture as she was both saving me a trip and accounting for how dark it can be around our rural home at night. She even got matching ones in different colors for everyone in the house. It's lasted through seven years of my abusive care (somewhat of an oxymoron), but, being plastic, it finally gave in. The battery gave out a few months ago, and I could have replaced it with a thinner key or at least a metal one when it start showing such signs of failure, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. There is nothing about cost, but there is something about grabbing that key as I fumble through the others every day, even if I rarely use the key itself, that reminds me of home and of my loving parents. As I looked at my keys this morning, I didn't have many options but to replace it, and I couldn't even consider choosing a different color. So, while getting it replaced, I figured I might as well get a matching key for my current room as somewhat of an homage to the whole concept my mom felt was so important. So, I chose a red one, and the reasons behind that choice are two. I wanted to be able to clearly distinguish it from my house key as well as give myself a red and blue set. That second part can be attributed to how much malicious fun I have had in the backseat of friends' cars late at night making them think they were being pulled over. I guess you could call that my prankster side. Now, if you look at these three keys, if you are clever, you might notice they ascend in importance from the front door of my house towards my room, my temporary home, towards my parents' place, my permanent home, and snuggle up next to the Texas-shaped piece to the right. They are bringing me, through my dwellings, towards the state which truly made me feel the most "at home".

Well, that brings me to the last few accessories, and, of course, I'm going to start with that big orange piece of metal. Though the white Longhorn that used to grace its face may be long gone, it's a piece of hardware from the University of Texas Co-Op in Austin. Living in Texas, my whole family has always had a soft spot for anything referencing it, and, not just in fair weather, we have considered ourselves Longhorn fans. Though we love to visit all of our relatives, when we visit my uncle in the great city of Austin, none of us can help making a stop at the Co-Op. Just before I was handed the keys to my shiny new truck just about seven years ago, I was given this little piece as a gift from my mom, just back from a short visit with her mom and brother. Since it looked awesome and doubled as a bottle opener, I threw it on those keys and rocked it with pride. I even got to use it for its beverage-oriented purpose quite a few times in my college years and my early twenties. When I relinquished the keys of that truck which brought me so many fun times, I kept three things. They key ring itself, the blue key to my home, and this Texas-shaped bottle opener. It shows its age, but I don't see myself giving it up anytime soon, even if it chooses to lose the last of its paint. Now, moving on to the rifle-shaped piece of metal, that was given to every member of an airsoft team which brought me so many great games. Though the piece serves absolutely no purpose, it speaks both to my interest in the tactical shooting community as well as my interest in airsoft. Much as in this piece, I think they go hand in hand, and, though this unnecessary bulk may have jammed itself into my leg more times than I can count, I wouldn't dare consider removing this keepsake of all those fun days spent with friends and the solidarity it represented. However, that brings me to the last item on the key ring, which finds itself hidden behind the plastic cards. There is a small ring of metal, and it might suggest I lost something, and that couldn't be more spot-on. This is the last reminder of a keychain that once found itself attached. On a weekend trip to Disneyland, a friend's four-year old daughter went out of her way to ask her parents if she could buy a gift for me. Though I always thought this little girl was one of the most awesome kids I had ever met, I didn't think a kid would ever think so well of me. In the most shy of displays, she handed me a delicately gift-wrapped box, and my anticipation was building. What could she have brought me? Well, I opened it to find an awesome keychain featuring a vinyl replica of Mickey Mouse, but, instead of a face, the entire head was rendered as an eyeball. That may seem odd, but it was actually a really cute piece, but I think I would have been touched by whatever item she brought. This incredibly sweet gesture literally tugged at my heart strings, and I don't feel ashamed to say it. Once it broke, I glued its feet to the monitor at work in order to put it on display and in my view. Sure it was in my sight, but, more importantly, it was where she brought it to me, at work, the only place she ever saw me, and that's what hits me. Considering how little I ever said to her, I was touched by how much she cared about me. Well, I'll stop reminiscing about how happy little kids can make me, and I'll just say that little girl is a winner!

In the end, wrapping themselves around a ring, stuffed into my pocket, my keys are a bundle of memories, and they can say a lot about me, if you just take a closer look. I would suggest that anyone who might like to reflect on bright things take a closer look at the items in their life. Even such simple items as your keys might tell a story. Some might say that's a bad thing, but I'm all about individual identity and pride in yourself. Though I will, most likely, explore the entire contents of my pockets, my pocket-dump, in the near future, today, I just felt like sharing the simple joys brought on by having my keys made new.