I have an absolutely adorable, very short video of three of the baby kittens living outside my window! Note: Be sure and put your computer on mute or turn the sound down. A fan was running on high right next to the digital camera, so there’s a very annoying background noise to this video.
Can’t you just hear the little grey & white saying “RAWRR!” as he runs around?
Yesterday, former Google employees introduced a brand new search engine called Cuil (pronounced “Cool” or maybe “Kewl.”)
Before the site debuted, there was quite a bit of excitement on the Internet. Once it was available… Well, all that excitement exploded in a fireball of debris.
Oops.
The website itself quickly went popular on Digg.com, only to have the notorious “Digg effect” crash the site. Yes, you read that correctly. A *SEARCH ENGINE* crashed from too many users.
Double oops.
Now, to be fair, the interface on Cuil is beautiful and elegant. It’s very pleasing to the eye, almost relaxing. I’d love to use Cuil. I really would. Unfortunately, it has some major flaws. For one, the search results are awful. It doesn’t even recognize “George W. Bush” when the period is included after the W (check out this submission on Digg for more details.)
Of course, to test the efficacy of Cuil, I initially ran a search on my name. My blog appeared on the first page of results. My website, however, which is listed at the beginning of a Google search, doesn’t show up on Cuil for pages and pages. A lot of people are experiencing the same problem, with some people’s websites just not showing up at all when, on Google, the same websites rank first.
Sure, maybe Cuil just shows a different set of search results that we might not find on Google. Maybe it’s even set up to show us listings that are on page 1,598 of Google. That would be lame enough, but it gets worse.
If you notice, Cuil has a handy feature that places a photo next to many of the search results. This would be great… if the photo had anything to do with the link next to it! For some reason, Cuil likes to place completely random photos next to search listings. Do you think I’m kidding? Check out these screenshots from when I looked up my own name:
Cuil couldn’t find my website, but it did find a random resume I put on Go Freelance. But what’s the deal with the picture next to it: “I Am Who I Am” with the subtitle, “Your approval isn’t needed. :}” Umm, what the heck? Is Cuil sending me subliminal messages or something? What messages am I going to see next? “You’re Good Enough!” “Wow! So Beautiful!” or maybe “Donate to Barack Obama!”
I guess while I’m at it, I should address the horse graphic next to another of my links in Cuil’s search.
I don’t know what the heck that horse graphic is about! Cuil was kind enough to pull up an obscure paper I co-wrote for AEJMC while I was in graduate school. Never mind that the description over the link is NOT for the paper I wrote. And the horse graphic? It’s more of a “WTF” moment. Translation: I don’t know why it’s there. A subliminal message to start riding horses?
Not content to just Google myself, I looked up some people who visit this blog too. 
Oh, I guess I can’t use “Google” for Cuil. How about “rip roaring adventure down an Internet search apparently based on drug-induced hallucinations”?
First, I am convinced that Amy Vernon has paid off Cuil. 
Her blog showed up first in Cuil’s search results. Not only that, but check out the pic next to the link:
While my listing (when my blog finally does appear) shows a random sci-fi pic that I never actually used in my blog, Amy’s link proudly boasts: “Top 100 Television Sites!” Now, I’ve got to be honest, her blog is pretty awesome. So in this case, Cuil is accurate. But I still think she paid them off.
It’s OK though, because apparently Kevin Tracy did too. A search for Kevin Tracy reveals:
Not only does his blog get top billing, but it’s accompanied by a photo of a presidential candidate! And all I got was a cartoon horse? So… Cuil is telling Amy that she has the top website, Kevin that he should be president, and me… That I should ride cartoon horses and have more self esteem.
Great.
But wait, I’m not done yet! I had to look up my friend Cindy Gordon, a very talented professional photographer. Her website also received top billing. Unfortunately, Cuil confused Cindy herself for an elderly man with a thick beard:
Last but certainly not least, I looked up Adam Riggins, a frequent commenter on this blog. Here is Cuil’s result:
Sorry Adam. 
The Asgard from Stargate SG-1 may be real after all.
Dr. Edgar Mitchell, a former NASA astronaut, has just announced that governments have been repeatedly covering up alien visits for the last 6 decades. And he’s finally ready to talk.
Mitchell brings some credibility to his statements: first off, he’s a moon-walker. If you’re like me, when I first read the headline, I thought the article was about a former 80s dancer who used those cheap Michael Jackson dance moves. And I thought, “Well, yea, he *would* be crazy.” But Edgar Mitchell actually *walked* on the moon.
Edgar claims these real-life aliens look like the typical description: small frames, large eyes and head. In other words, our “grey” friends from Stargate might just be real. What’s next? Stargate is real? Daniel Jackson exists?
(I wish… And yes, I’m wishing more for Daniel Jackson than for a Stargate. And no, the actor doesn’t count. I want a *real* Daniel Jackson – cute, single, smart, and involved with a top-secret government scifi project. *swoon*)
But back to the story at hand… Mitchell claims our technology is nothing compared to what the aliens have. How does he know? He claims that being a former astronaut and all, he is privy to intelligence information.
Do we believe him? And if it’s true, why is he sharing this NOW? According to Mitchell, the cover-up started right after World War II. Now, he says, countries across the world (Mexico, Brazil, etc.) are starting to open their files, thus precipitating his announcement.
Could the United States successfully cover something like this? Sure it could. But just because the U.S. can, doesn’t mean it *is.*Or is it? (Insert spooky sci-fi music here.)
Already, people are discounting Mitchell’s tale. NASA has denied his statements. Others are pointing to his history as a man always interested in consciousness and paranormal phenomenon. He’s too “fringe.”
Interestingly, he’s not the first person to make this announcement. He’s not even the first astronaut to claim this.
Gordon Cooper, also one of America’s first astronauts, has been saying for years that aliens are real and the government is covering it all up.
And in 2005, Paul Hellyer, Canada’s Defence Minister from 1963-1967, stated that UFOs are real and are being covered up. And don’t forget that the Vatican just recently announced that the existence of aliens would not hinder the faith at all. Coincidence?
Probably. But isn’t it more fun to imagine otherwise?
So, what do you think? Is it true? If it is, I hope the government releases the information in our lifetime. I’d really like to travel through a Stargate someday.
This is a tough call for many people who work in creative fields: walking the thin line between positive perfectionism and overboard self criticism. As a writer, I look at my work in a far more critical light than anyone else does. (This blog is the one exception. I pretty much just write what comes to mind without editing much at all.)
I recently wrote about a script that moved up in a national competition. The interesting sidebar to this news is that the night before I received the announcement, I had reread my script and thought it was really dumb. In fact, I almost deleted it entirely! After receiving the news, I read it again and decided it wasn’t so bad.
So what does that say about me? Well, I’m overly critical of my own work. I always have been! I never like what I write nearly as much as other people do. In some ways this is helpful because it encourages me to work harder and to be more creative. But sometimes it can be a hindrance, especially the times when I toss a novel I’m writing aside because it’s not meeting my own standards.
So how about you? Are you more critical of your own work than other people are? If so, how do you approach this in your day-to-day job?
Baby kittens are doing great. They are starting to crawl – just a tiny bit. Two are identical twins: orange with white faces and white chests. One is fluffy white & grey. The fourth is a black brindle color with dark black stripes, and some small orange patches on his face. Adorable!
I’m not getting too close yet because I don’t want to scare the mom cat and have her take them somewhere else. But here is one blurry picture!
In this picture, you can see the two twin kitties sleeping, their heads resting on their brother’s back.
Yes, I’m a girlie girl!
(This just in: Dolly is now officially a hurricane.)
So, a tropical storm-about-to-become-hurricane named Dolly is sitting out in the Gulf, menacing a wide area from South Texas to northern Mexico. Right now it’s predicted to land as a Category 1 tomorrow. But at the moment, it’s slowed down and is sitting out there in the Gulf, churning away.
Luckily, in today’s world, you don’t have to wonder what’s going on. You can watch for yourself! Check out these links to some really cool webcams where you can watch what’s happening live.
Matagorda Texas – This one could be especially interesting, as it shows a group of boats docked rather than just the ocean. Might have some interesting shots in the next 24 hours or more.
Downtown Corpus Christi – Shows the Bayfront, with cars parked outside.
South Padre – Picture refreshed every 10 seconds
Live Weather Station Update – Brownsville
I’ll post more links as I find them, and I’ll keep interesting information updated on this blog!
A trailer for the Battlestar Galactica prequel series, Caprica, has been released. And I’ve got to tell you, it looks even more awesome than I had guessed. You can watch it here.
Yes, the genius which is Joss Whedon has knocked another one out of the park. If you haven’t seen Dr. Horrible yet, your time is almost up. Check it out here. (Want to learn more? Visit the fan site.)
***SPOILERS***
*Spoilers for Acts I, II, and III below!*
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Absolutely amazing! When Act III ended, I was in complete shock. Speechless is truly the only way to describe my reaction. Sad? Yes. Slightly depressed? Oh yea. Inspired? Definitely.
Joss Whedon is the only director I know who can have you rolling on the floor in laughter until he decides the laughter should die. And then it’s gone. Just like that.
For the first 2 1/2 acts, we’re laughing and singing along, enjoying a lighthearted romp where the bad guy is actually the good guy and the hero is a SOB. Then, out of nowhere, it all ends. The show we thought we were watching changes from comedy to tragedy. Laughter is replaced with dumbfounded shock. Lighthearted lyrics are replaced with a dizzying need to figure out just what the hell is going on.
Part of me likes this because the emotions in a Joss Whedon production closely mirror life. (Ok, maybe not everyone’s, but definitely mine!) Have you ever been going happily along, positive your life is heading in one direction, whistling as you walk and then… BANG. In an instant, everything changes. The destination you were reaching is gone. Instead of heading to a Caribbean island, you find yourself harpooned on Siberia. I love how Joss Whedon can mirror those emotions so geniunely.
After just the first Act, I already cared a great deal about the characters. Some writers have a hard time getting their audience to care after several seasons! But Joss achieved it in just a few minutes. One reason most of us were so upset at the end of Act III is that somehow, in just a short amount of time, Joss developed characters that we cared about intensely.
It certainly helps that Neil Patrick Harris is an amazing actor.
As for Captain Hammer… His scenes were just priceless. He’s “that” guy. You know what I’m talking about… The one who believes his calling far eclipses everyone else. Oh sure, he pretends to care. But it’s all an act. Feeding the homeless? Just so he can look good. Serious relationship? Only so he show his girl off as a “trophy” to his friends and fans.
“Deltoids of compassion, abs of being kind.” Hammer’s song in Act III is pure ROTFL. According to him, anyone can rise above their circumstances (unless they’re a “freaking ‘tard.”) And we all have enemies (though none as cool as his!)
Of course, the show-stealer was Billy. Penny waited for him at the laundromat with an extra yogurt, but he never showed up. The message? Revenge destroys. Sure, you might get everything you wanted in the process. But in the end, revenge will only steal away what you love the most.
And that’s how it ended. Dr. Horrible got his dream, but the cost was too great. Now it all means nothing.
Remember Act II?
Billy: “Don’t say everything happens for a reason.”
Penny: “I was just going to say… Everything happens.”
Yes, it sure does.
Just a random question for my friends on here who know web programming. If I want to submit a blog article to a website and I am required to submit it with “valid HTML-markup” – what does that mean? Any clues?
Thanks.
Want to see a really funny scifi/fantasy musical? Check out Joss Whedon’s “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog.” I just finished watching Act II and it is HILARIOUS! Watch it here!
Dr. Horrible brings a unique twist to your typical superhero story. Now, Act I begins kind of slow, but stay with it. Act II is just GREAT!
For those who don’t know, Joss Whedon is the creator of the short-lived but fine scifi show, Firefly. He also created Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Whedon’s sense of humor is a bit twisted, which is probably one of the reasons I like his writing so much.
Act III comes out July 19.
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