Tales of X9

These dark days when nothing seems to be interesting on favorite cartoon channels like Cartoon Network and Nickolodeon, one wishes that the least they can do is rerun much beloved series like Samurai Jack. While we were talking about the uninteresting shows that are now part of the animation channels, what came to my mind was a few shining moments from the adventures of Jack.

This series quit while it was at its peak. It rose head and shoulders above other shows by achieving the right mix of art, story, animation, music, concepts, characters and dialog. Many episodes would make a lasting impact leaving us with memorable one liners. Like “Lulu, Sweet Thing”

The Chumby

A compact Linux-based WiFi enabled internet device with a touchscreen that uses Adobe Flash technology widgets for playing media, viewing websites, blogs, rss feeds etc. It is priced at about $180.

The business model and the hardware are interesting.

Antoni Gaudi

This is the third part in the series Visions of Space that I saw. This is a look at how the works of three remarkable architects of the 20th century shaped our modern world. It examines how each one of them use space to express our response to the power of the corporation (Meiss van der Rohe), the power of the State (Albert Speer), and religion (Antoni Gaudi).

The third part is called God’s Architect.

Scarface (1932)

The mention of Scarface brings to mind the iconic images of  Tony Montana, the character played by Al Pacino in the 1983 movie made by Brian De Palma. However, it was only recently that I came to know from my friend that this was  a remake of a movie made more than 75 years ago!

This version is considered by many as one of the best gangster noire movies.

Aldus Manutius

The late 1400s must have been very similar to current times. This was the tumultuous time when the printed word was changing the fabric of society, much like the digital revolution of the early 21st century. The transition from the bibles of Gutenberg to the widely available paperback type books which created a huge reading class of people sowing the seeds of public participation and democratic ways was a time of confusion and struggle as existing structures came tumbling down.

In the middle of this was Aldus Manutius, venetian printer, publisher and inventor. His legacy lives on today five centuries after him.

Vim Power

It is an enriching experience to tap into Vim, the venerable editor with more than three decades of history behind it. My Vimfu is nowhere near the levels of the masters out there. Vimfu Mastery is a process. There is a lot this editor has to offer. People tell me they find new features and uses even after years of using it.

Animal Farm - George Orwell

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is a very short book. Its story, insights, concepts and message will ring true as long as humans come together to work. The fact that Animal Farm is entirely about humans is a sweet irony. That is also its main appeal to me. It provides a glimpse into how good intentions, ideas, ideals and lofty thinking fall apart gradually. I see it as a satirical fable that helps explain the ups and downs of history. Simple in its telling, complex in its content, meaning and relevance.

This is not a pipe.

1968
by René Magritte

A McGuffin

The master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock built some his most suspense filled movies around a key concept called a McGuffin. Many famous films of his like Notorious, North by Northwest and Psycho were triumphs of this aspect of story telling. What exactly is a McGuffin?