What is SyFy without SciFi?

Seriously, ask you.

  • Destination Truth, Ghost Hunters.  Are these supposed to be pseudo-science shows?  I don’t think they purport to be fiction or entertainment.  The people on those shows seem to take themselves pretty seriously.  Perhaps they would be better suited to the “SuFy” channel.
  • I refuse to watch “professional” wrestling on the SyFy channel.  Let’s not even go there.
  • Caprica1 , Dresden Files, Stargate Universe, Stargate Atlantis…  what are they doing?
  • I can’t watch Doctor Who on SyFy and instead tune into BBC America

When the SyFy channel doesn’t show any science fiction shows left…  what is it’s reason for existing?

  1. Which I did not like []

I still think it’s a good idea

A few weeks ago, I forget when or where, I was someplace where someone was talking and then finished with, “Any questions?”

I said, “Yes!  Why hasn’t anyone else invented a papasan / beanbag chair?”  No one answered, just cold stares. 123

Seriously, wouldn’t that be cool?

  1. I suppose more people might take my questions seriously if I were actually part of the initial conversation. []
  2. Or fully clothed. []
  3. Or not covered in rubber ducky stickers. []

Packing for time travel

I suppose a more adventurous sort would just leap into a time machine heedless of the consequences. I tend to be more deliberative. Here’s what I’m planning to take in my foray into the past:

  • A small netbook.  My itty bitty red Dell Mini 10.  Zero battery life, bad resolution, super light weight.
  • An analog notebook.  It’s made of paper.  AKA my “big book of ideas.”  This is actually my fifth such book.  The last four are sitting on a shelf.  Unlike prior versions this is entirely homemade from recycled print paper and a grocery bag.
  • A camera smartphone.
  • At least two varieties of USB cables for charging bluetooth and charging/tethering phone.
  • Maybe a book.  I haven’t decided which one.  I’ve been meaning to reread The Diamond Age.
  • A backpack and a satchel.  I say satchel, but I’ll readily admit it’s a manpurse. 1

What am I missing?

  1. Don’t ever fight who you are. []

What do astronauts use for their computer’s wallpaper?

What do astronauts use for their computer's wallpaper?
What do astronauts use for their computer's wallpaper?

Commander Scott Kelly provides a tour of the super small personal spaces on the ISS. Like every other kid with a computer, at some point I’ve used a variety of skyscapes or spacescapes as my computer’s wallpaper. What does Commander Kelly use? Green earth fields. I love it.

Real conversation from work yesterday

Co-worker: <Demands Christmas present for some flippant remark I made.>  Wait, do you celebrate Christmas?

MakerBlock: Well, I don’t have any Christmas stuff up in my office, so… I suppose not.  Well, I do have a picture of an Easter Bunny.  But, that’s because I believe in bunnies.  I believe in bunnies but not Easter, teeth but not fairies, and claws but not Santas.

Aren’t you glad we don’t work together?  You would have to put up with this kind of nonsense all the time.

Why would anyone want a vortex manipulator?

Vortex Manipulator and Sonic Screwdriver
Vortex Manipulator and Sonic Screwdriver

Answer: It’s a lot more convenient than strapping a TARDIS to your wrist.

Ever since seeing the season 5 finale of Doctor Who I’ve wanted my own printed vortex manipulator.  I have a feeling Nick Starno’s pocket watch case for the MakerBot Watch would be a good place to start.

Just another random thing in my list of stuff I want to make.