Burning Out the Next Twelve Days

School is around the corner and I'm burning up the last few days.  What's in store for Better Live?

Well first, I'm planning a Stanley Kubrick movie marathon.  Won't be a mind-bender like the Lynchathon but should turn us deeply introspective.

The plan:
The Killing  (1956)
Dr. Strangelove  (1964)
2001: A Space Odyssey  (1968)
Eyes Wide Shut  (1999)

Spans his entire career (ignoring a couple movies before The Killing) and four different genres.  Genius-level inspiration- highly anticipated.


AU and D.C. will give me plenty to write about especially when I rejoin forces with the Tin Can Partier- Benjamin Miller.  I see only glory and fortune in the future.  Pretty similar to what I see in the mirror...

Cloudy with a chance of Photoshop

In today's post I want to share my excitement about some great new software.  Some of it I plan on using to make my blog more fun and engaging.  Fear not, luddites, this could be of use to you.

The first application I want to talk about is called CloudApp.  This great app (Mac only, sorry Windows users) allows you to quickly upload files from your computer to the cloud.  

First, what is the cloud?  I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the concept, but basically it allows for greater data sharing, faster data access and greater power for mobile technology.  Yes, I'm drooling right now.  This website has five great videos explaining the cloud.  I like to think about it this way:  many of those great apps for your iPhone or various Android powered phone use the cloud to overcome the limitations of your hardware.

Okay, before I stray into territory that I can't quite explain, I'll simply talk about CloudApp.  When you upload the file from your Mac to the cloud, it is backed up by Amazon's Simple Service Storage and saved multiple times, completely safe.  That's pretty cool.  Your file is also given a unique URL that you can copy and paste anywhere for other people to download.  For example, in iTunes I simply highlight the desired song, hit the hot key (for me it's Shift+Alt+Command+Up) and it immediately starts to upload.  A few seconds later I have a URL that I can paste on Facebook and the song is instantly available.  

Try this:  Four Hours in Washington.  Great song, by the way.

This is my personal screen.  I've only been messing around with it for a day, but it works just like I would expect it to.

It is also a really awesome way to create screen caps.  I simply hit Shift+Command+4, make my selection, and the picture is uploaded automatically.  Then I have a downloadable URL at my disposal.  Should make my job easier on here and make me more able to share music and ideas.

Next is a program everyone is familiar with- Photoshop.  But not only do I have Photoshop, but I also have the entire Adobe Create Suite 5.  Oh yes.  

Really, I don't have terribly much to say except that I can't use probably 90% of the power here.  I'll need to hop on some tutorials as soon as possible.  Especially for the new Photoshop, because I used to be fairly accomplished at CS4.  Maybe I'll learn to use Dreamweaver and finally eschew the crap that is Blogger.  C'mon Blogger, you are a tool for multimedia expression; learn to handle multiple media!  

                                       

This is what I see when I open my Applications folder.  Be very jealous.  And a little afraid.

Lastly, and this is something I'm very excited for... Starcraft II will be released July 27th.  

                                     

I want to stress how huge this is-  I was raised on the first Starcraft and have waited many long years for this one.  For those of you who don't know what Starcraft is, expect some updates in the next couple days and then a lengthy post once it's released.  I'll make it entertaining between all the glowing adjectives.  Maybe try out some videos, screen caps... I'll be holed up for a few days.

Tonight's Adventure

I am planning a photo adventure with Lauren Hank tonight.  I'll be using a Canon point and shoot and touching up the pictures with Photoshop, to make them look real professional-like.  You'll see what I see, a couple hours delayed.

Other upcoming adventures:
Going to Washington D.C. to see if Washington can, indeed, party.  Benjamin Miller will be my experienced guide to all things free and exciting.
Also, way down the line, is a Black Keys concert on July 30.  Buying the tickets tonight and I cannot wait.

Check back late tonight for the pictures.

UPDATE:
A little disappointing, but no pictures were taken tonight.  Give it another 24 hours and we'll see what happens.

Part of seeing it live is being the first on the spot. I'm going to the Phils game tomorrow, so I've decided to try out mobile blagging. Blagging... It's bragging in a blog.

Well, because I'll be using my Samsung Behold, I can only blog 160 characters.  Sigh.

100 Years of Progress

The Mercer Museum sans original lobby.

The Mercer Museum is currently under construction!  Technically, not the museum proper, but the front lobby (constructed in the 1970’s) has been stripped away and is being replaced by a grander, modern entrance way.  The bigger entrance will also hold traveling exhibits.  

A picture of the picture of the projected entrance.  I could have copied and pasted a better jpeg, but I was playing with my phone today.

Two thoughts- one, the mercer museum holds thousands of articles, all old tools.  The main building, built in 1916 (or something close, damn I’m good at my job) is concrete and looks like a castle.  The projected plans for the new entrance look nothing like a castle, and is mainly built of steel and glass.  I feel that something will be lost in the transition from entranceway to museum. 

On the other hand, Mercer was an innovator (the first to build with concrete) and had an aptitude and eye for new technology.  So if the entranceway is going to be modern, make it modern, man!  Add some whirly-gigs and whatsits to drum up attention and continue in the true Mercer spirit.  Apparently, it will have grass on the roof.  That’s… interesting.  I mean, grass is everywhere, so why not on the top of a building?  We’ll be seeing it live next Spring.  

Also, I discovered that my phone can do some pretty nifty things, namely shoot panoramas.  Samsung has a solid place in my heart.

Click the image for the full, mind-boggling effect.  Yes, behold the power of the Samsung Behold.