Daily Links - 1/6/09

Dolphin Language - Your dolphin wants fish.

Interesting Pizza - Even though I don't like Pizza Hut pizza, I give them an A for following directions.

New Ubiquity - A new Ubiquity for Firefox released.

Oh Joy - 50% last year and now 50% more. Oh, joy!

Decaf Strips - These can tell if the coffee you're having is decaf or not.

Sir Terry - Mr. Pratchett gets knighted.

Must Have Cake - Or is the cake a lie?

Daily Links - 1/5/09

Ask Google - Your chance to ask a Google engineer a question.

Webcam vs. Particle Beam - They have a fight, particle wins.

Twinkies Project - Tests with Twinkies in extreme situations.

Sun on Earth - And people thought the LHC was going to destroy the Earth?

She Reads - That's not necessarily a good thing.

When Satellites Collide - Is anybody in charge of keeping satellites from colliding? The Straight Dope answers.

Vanity Plates - Vanity plates that the DMV didn't catch.

Daily Links - 12/31/08

Surfer Speak - What language is he speaking?

Eff You Penguin - Telling cute animals what to do with their cuteness.

Leap Second - Do we really want another second of this year?

Worst Passwords - The top 500 worst passwords.

Who Lives Here? - Keep zooming out.

50 Astronomy Pictures - The best of 2008.

LEGO Wallpaper - LEGO wallpaper of destiny, if only it was in a widescreen version.

Ain't Life Grand

It turns out it wasn't me that was the problem with the flooring. The professional installer came in and had the same issues I was having (though he did get further along). It turns out our bedroom floor is bowed and with the flooring we bought, it needs to be flat. So, we'll have to return the flooring we bought (crosses fingers) less one box that we cut. And we don't need the underlayment now that we bought, so hopefully we can return that (less one roll that we used).

Since we already moved the furniture and ripped the carpet out, we had to go get some regular wood flooring (a little more expensive, needs installer, and no 12 month no interest, no payment financing). Needless to say this is putting a bit of crimp in our finances, so now might be a good time to buy a signed copy of the BBook. Or, maybe I should practice hard on my drumming skills in Guitar Hero, and hit the road with a band.

At least I only hurt myself a little on this job. I put my hand down on the claw of a hammer and took some skin off my palm. I didn't need a bandage to stop the bleeding, so I don't consider that a prize injury.

This will probably be the final post of 2008. I wish every BBspotter a safe and happy New Year's celebration, and once again thank you for making 2008 another successful year for BBspot.

That's all I've got for now. Stay geeky!

Daily Links - 12/30/08

The Final Word - On video game consoles.

Aliens Attacking - What other explanation could there be?

Revenge of Snowzilla - Giant snowman rises from the dead.

Left 4K Dead - A zombie killing game in 4kb.

When Suns Attack - I'm giving the shields all the power we got Cap'n.

Poor Dog - I give you the unluckiest dog in the world.

Mac vs. PC - Transformers style.

Don't Cry for Me Argentina

Howdy folks, just popping in to give a post-Christmas report. I had such generous family and friends that I only had one item on my Amazon wish list after the festivities had completed. That's a rarity for me as it's usually the rest of the family that's rolling in presents.

I think my two favorite gifts so far have been the Swiss Army Knife (Voyager Lite) from Mrs. BBspot, and Guitar Hero World Tour Band Set (for me and the kids) from Santa. I'm getting pretty good with the drums. Band on the Run is a fun song to drum. I've hit 97% on Medium difficulty. I expect to have it mastered soon.

We had hoped to put in some wood flooring ourselves over the break (while the kids are gone to their aunt's house), but our attempt yesterday failed miserably. So now, we're having someone come in to do it for us. I just love the unexpected expenses this time of year.

Speaking of unexpected expenses, an opportunity for a week in Mexico dropped in our laps. We'll be gone the first week of the year. I'm trying to get some stories written beforehand, but I don't know how successful I will be. Don't cry for me Argentina.

That's all I've got for now. Stay geeky!

Daily Links - 12/29/08

Hoth LEGOized - Here's what you can do with 60,000 LEGO blocks.

Comcast Sued - Couldn't happen to a nicer company.

Copyright Hell - Another snag in the Watchmen movie development.

EA Steam - EA games are now coming to the Steam delivery platform, sans DRM.

Sad News - I missed this news when it happened, but just wanted to mention that it's a sad day for Trekkies everywhere.

Car Alarm - Tesla style.

Use for Sarcasm - It can be used to detect dementia in old people. Like that's something we need to do.

Daily Links - 12/24/08

Vacation Project - Here's a project for you to complete over Christmas break: build a supercomputers out of PS3s.

MacGyver Multitool - The only tool you'll ever need.

Wii Upgrade - Upgrade your Wii video card, or not.

Merry Geekmas - Holiday creations by geeks.

Prepare to Die - Now with lightsabers.

Merry Christmas - No more lawsuits from the RIAA. I'll believe it when I'm not sued.

Merry Christmas - If anyone wants to build one of these up and send one over to me, I won't refuse it.

Daily Links - 12/23/08

Christmas Sweaters - Some of the ugliest.

Mad Scientists - It's a misnomer.

Screw Hats - Do you really lose the most heat through your head?

First Contact - Drillers in Hawaii discover something under the surface.

Year in Photographs - 2008 in photographs.

1983 Games - I know these pages by heart.

Film of the Year - Someone else reviews Punisher: War Zone

The BBook of Geek Signing 2.0

On my way to my second book signing on Saturday, I realized that I had forgotten my signing pens. We were going to stop by Office Max near the Barnes and Noble to get some more, but the traffic was backed up onto the highway from the exit to the store. We made a detour which got us to the book store on time, but I had to use a Sharpie for signing books. A Sharpie is good for signing glossy posters, but for books it's not so great.

This time it was more of a standard book signing. Instead of a talk before the signing, they just set me up a table by the front door. I had brought my props, so at least I was able to attract some attention with the LEGO portrait of myself.

The signing was well attended, and we almost sold out their stock of The BBook of Geek (available at fine booksellers near you). From a running count in my head that was about 18 copies of the BBook. I signed their remaining stock (at their request), so those are as good as sold as well. From what the manager told me at the first book signing, stores are happy if you sell 10 copies of a book, so another happy book store.

I want to thank Gayle who was the store contact for me. She was awesomely helpful in setting it up, and very accommodating during the signing. Even better that she bought a copy of the BBook too for her brother-in-law, who's a big robot collector.

I'll post pictures to Facebook and here, once I get the camera back from Mrs. BBspot.

If I don't get to an end-of-the-year BBlog post (I usually plan to, but never get one done), I at least want to thank everyone for letting me do this site for yet another year. Next year starts year number nine for BBspot. I could've never imagined how this all has turned out. Thank you all very much. It's like I've got a giant extended family out there on the 'net supporting me. I very much appreciate it. I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season, and a geeky new year.

That's all I've got for now. Stay geeky!