music and medicine

dead blog!

2006-02-04T17:43:00.000-08:00

OK! Everything is (almost) up and running at veronicabelmont.com, so check there for updates from now on. Blogger, you were good to me, but everyone needs to grow up sometime.

love,
V

Ugh.

2006-01-31T22:54:00.000-08:00

There is a spider in my apartment. He's been "hanging out" for two days. Right now I'm glaring at him from across the room, because he's in a corner I can't reach. As long as he stays away from my bedroom, we be cool. But then I start thinking about that short story from "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" about how the woman had a spider lay eggs in her face as she slept, and then they hatched all over her and OMG I'M TOTALLY GOING TO HAVE NIGHTMARES NOW!!!! ARRGGG!!!

Great, now I lost track of him. Kill me.

The Wi-Fi Bunny

2006-01-25T16:28:00.000-08:00

Please... please... buy me this.
Shiny Shiny: The Vocal Return of the Wi-Fi Bunny

Snakes... on a plane.

2006-01-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

File this under "Worst Title for a Movie EVER."
I can't wait to see people go to town on this one. Apparently, they've already started. Oh, the hilarity!
Wired 14.01: PLAY

UPDATE:
Bored, I decided to Google "snakes on a plane." I found this blog, with this comment about SOAP (HOLY CRAP!! Snakes on a Plane = SOAP?? This is getting better and better):

What else do you need to know? How the snakes get on the plane, what the snakes do once they're on the plane, who puts the snakes on the plane, who is trying to get the snakes off the plane...This is not for you to ponder. There are snakes on the plane. End of fucking story.

Well done, sir. Well done.

Star Trek Seussisms

2006-01-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share some of this brilliant Star Trek poetry that I found linked from Boing Boing.

Data: Our ship can get there very fast
But still the trip will last and last
We'll have two days til we arrive
But can the Indrans there survive?

Picard: LaForge, please give us factor nine.

LaForge: But, sir, the engines are offline!

Picard: Offline! But why? I want to go!
Please make it so, please make it so!

Here's the site, I think it's fantastic!

An interesting week.

2006-01-18T23:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't kept up with the writing, but it's been a weird, long month. Anywho, tomorrow we're doing a photoshoot for BOL schwag. What the heck am I gonna wear?? No, seriously. What? I haven't done laundry since I've been back from CES (oops).

I've become seriously addicted to rediculously cute things. Popgadget and Shiny Shiny are using up most of my free time on Bloglines these days. Do I need a cell phone plushie? Yes, actually.

On top of everything, we're doing another Tired Thumbs tomorrow. Which is great, except I'm a leetle bit behind in my gaming news as of late. BUT! We're going to use the new podcasting features in GarageBand. I'm excited! We've been having so much trouble with Gizmo and Skype (mostly, nothing on my end seems to work... nice audio production major, eh?) so hopefully this will solve all our problems.

Time for bed. G'nite!

Like a virgin.

2006-01-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

I made my acting debut last night, as the virginal prey for Madame Bathory, a real vampire from days of yore. Gonna be on the History Channel, probably in October! Stay tuned! A few more pictures are on my Flickr page.

Seen in front of my house:

2006-01-13T16:34:00.000-08:00

"Voldemort votes Republican"

well, duh. Best bumper sticker ever.

Macworld, CES double-booked for 2007

2006-01-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

Macworld, CES double-booked for 2007 | CNET News.com

Whaaaa?? Now what am I going to do?? Seriously, a major bummer. And this is going to affect Macworld in the worst kind of way. They can't compare the the sheer numbers of CES.

veronicabelmont.com

2006-01-11T12:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, well I finally registered my name. veronicabelmont.com is live, and leads, uh, here. So basically I'm just doing it to prevent not being able to get it at a later time. Makes sense, right?

Working on getting someone to host it for me, and then I'll probably get off of Blogger. I wonder if there's a way I can archive all my blogger entries and put them on the new site? Any ideas? Oh... maybe I'll do iWeb. Looks pretty easy, and it would work so well with all the other programs I already use. Charlie and I have decided to try the new podcasting studio in GarageBand this weekend for Tired Thumbs. Maybe we'll get some decent audio quality for once! :)

In other news, I feel like I'm trapped in a freakin' cage. I want to go out so badly. I know it's not a good idea, but I hate just sitting around where I know there's so much going on.

It's Christmas all over again!

2006-01-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

So, as you may have heard, Apple has released the first MacIntel into the world. The new iMacs, available today, are powered by the Intel Core Duo chip. But the crowning glory of the event was the MacBook Pro, the beautiful and fast new notebook. Finally! I've been waiting forever for them to make the announcement, and in Febuary my dreams will become a reality. I got so excited that I gave myself an ulcer.

Wait, what?

Yes, it's true. I was wisked from the Macworld Expo off to the hospital, where I sat for 5.5 hours, first in excruciating pain, and then in a stupor. My stomach has been weird for weeks, as you all know, but last night it really got out of control. And this morning... well, I did everything I could to ignore it for the keynote, but Molly finally stuck me in a cab with $20 in my hand and sent me to St. Francis.

My boss came to the hospital, and told me to not come in tomorrow. I am crushed. Macworld is my favorite thing. I'm going to try to go anyway tomorrow, hopefully in time for the podcast. I'm so depressed. It hurts to eat a cracker. And I'm going to miss all the good Apple schwag. UUUGGHH.

Anyhow. I'm totally buying a MacBook Pro (the $2499 version, natch) come Feb. Got a few weeks to save! I want your opinions, people! Leave comments.

Forgot to mention...

2006-01-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be in a History Channel show on vampires. It's taping next weekend, and I'll be playing the part of a "virginal" victim. I'm not sure when the special is going to air, but I'll give you all more info as it arrives. I'm going to get fitted for costumes today. I don't have a speaking part, but there's a good chance I'll be covered in blood.

BOL Frappr Map

2006-01-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

The Buzz Out Loud Frappr Map! Now embeddable! Look at all those shiny happy people...

Back from CES

2006-01-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

Back from CES finally. Sorry I wasn't able to post from the show, there just weren't enough hours in the day. I probably got about 10 hours of sleep total since last Tuesday. Of course, it all caught up with me at once, and now I'm sick as a dog.

Unfortunately, I only got to walk around on Wednesday before everything was set up. I took pictures for our "walking tours" that posted on ces.cnet.com, so you can get some idea of how huge this thing was. It took Tom and I four hours to walk all five areas. Then on Thursday I was able to sneak away and get into the massive Central Hall, where the likes of Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, LG, and other big boys were located. You can see some pictures from my past week on my flickr page.

Well, today I'm off to MacWorld here in SF. Buzz Out Loud is going to be podcasting from the event for the next week (if I can find a working recording deck somewhere, that is...) Tomorrow is the keynote, and I'm hoping that Steve announces some new laptops. I really need a laptop.

I'm one of the only people here today. Because of MacWorld, of course. But I really could have used a day off after this past week. My mental/physical health isn't that great, and I just want to sleep and sleep. It's very strange to transition back to my old life again after the past week.

Happy New Year!

2006-01-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

Pics are up on the Flickr from some of the New Year festivities, so go check those out. If you can stomach that much obnoxiousness!

Getting everything ready to leave for the big show tomorrow. My stomach has been in knots for days. But I'll be posting and updating as much as I can!

Not so much NEED as WANT

2005-12-30T23:02:00.000-08:00

I'm not usually one to be sucked in by a television stations "online content," but I must say that I was a little disapointed by the lack of Mac-compatibility for Comedy Central's Motherload and MTV's Overdrive. I mean, it's not like I really NEEDED to see what happened to the dorky girl that took up wakeboarding on Made, but I was a little curious to see if she stuck with it... anyhow. This is what I get:

In order to offer a broad selection of full-length music videos on-demand and free of charge, MTV Overdrive uses Windows Digital Rights Management (DRM) to protect videos from unauthorized re-distribution.

Unfortunately, Microsoft's Windows Media Player Plug-in for Macintosh does not support Windows DRM. If DRM support becomes available for Macintosh, MTV will develop a version of MTV Overdrive that works on a Mac.

Wow. Is it just me, or does anyone else think it's time that the major cable networks get their shit together and offer some Mac compatibility?? I'm not just being biased here, am I? It won't even work if you have the Mac version of Windows Media Player. Gosh, a girl tries to play it legit, and this is the thanks she gets.

Anywho. New episode of Tired Thumbs tomorrow. Check it out.

Too much traveling.

2005-12-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

Just got back from NYC a little bit ago. In the past, I've always considered New York a little too big for me. I tend to be a nervous person, and so smaller cities like San Francisco and Boston are just about perfect. But I had my two favorite NYC boys to show me around, so I had nothing to worry about this time (I won't bore you with the details of my panic attack of coming into Grand Central Station at rush hour by myself from the last time went there). Nick and I did a walking tour of the Lower East Side, and did a fine sampling of the local bars.

The next day we met up with Ryan and did some more shopping and eating, and I finally found the perfect pair of black flat boots in a vintage shop. Naturally, I bought an $80 pair a few weeks ago that are far inferior. Obviously this is why NYC is a much better place to shop.

Tomorrow, back to SF for New Years, and then off to CES. Hooray! I'm more excited for it that I thought I'd be. Oh, and thanks to everyone who has written in concern over my wrists. They've had a much needed break this past week, but I'm still going to get them checked out when I get home.

I'M EXHAUSTED! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holidays so far. Nap time for V.

Updates!

2005-12-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, so let me start this post by saying I'm heartbroken. Johnny Damon is a traitor. I heard about the trade on Wednesday on the plane, and I almost screamed. Forgot to mention it though, with all the coming home excitement. TRAITOR!!

Next, I found out I might have early-onset arthritis in my wrists. Yes, both. A combination of damage from years of tennis and computers. Yes, I played tennis all through high school. Didn't expect me to be a jock, didja? So I need to go see a doctor when I get back to SF and make sure I take better care of my joints, or bye bye career. This will probably take some of the steam out of my WoWing (and the audience cheers...).

There might be some very big news for me in the podcasting realm. I'm not going to tell you what yet, but SOOOOON! All I can say is that I'm very excited.

I got a Nintendo DS finally! I've started playing Nintendogs, and I've so far taught Daisy to "sit down." But then my family got annoyed as I tried to teach her more in the car. That whole voice command thing can be a little annoying to other people, I imagine. Oh well!

Eventually I'll get away from all this personal crap again and get back to tech stuff, but I've been too busy to even look at Digg and Bloglines lately. I'm going to have a lot to catch up on when I get back!

Home

2005-12-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

So, I made it alive. I didn't sit next to a stinky person on the plane, but I did sit next to a very excitable 8-year old. Oh, how we talked and talked and talked. And how adorable was it when he continued to talk, looooong after I put my headphones back on and tried to watch Project Runway. Precious. Anywho, the flight and the trip in general went off without a hitch! And now I'm home...

Today we're going to the spa at Foxwoods. You know, the giant casino? I've never been to a spa before (rough life) so I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. OH WAIT, I forgot about one thing. DRY AIR. The air is so freaking dry here that my hair has been standing straight up for two days. And when it's not sticking straight up, it's plastered to my face. Not good.

Ok, off to get pampered! Adios.

Send me your links!

2005-12-20T08:05:00.000-08:00

I'm curious what RSS feeds you guys subscribe to. Make a comment in this post and send me some good reading! Or, just send me pages you like. Some of my feeds are feeling a little tired, and I'd love something new. It can be tech, gossip, fashion, funny, whatever. I don't care. FEED ME!

Traveling.

2005-12-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

I hate traveling. I don't hate GOING places, I just hate the "getting there" part. This is for various reasons, mostly related to the fact that I'm psycho about being on time and on schedule on a normal day. So, add the fact that if I'm late, I MISS MY FLIGHT, you've got a recipe for some major freak-outs:

What if the baggage check takes too long?
What if my shuttle is late?
What if I forgot my confirmation email?
What if I get an upset stomach?
What if my iPod dies?
What if I sit next to a stinky, talkative a-hole?
WHAT IF?!

Oh, and then there's always the "what if my frickin' plane crashes." Super.
Anyway. So this is what I have to deal with. Hopefully I'll just sleep through the whole thing. But then there's even more to think about once I get to CT! I have to get to NYC on the bus to visit friends, and then I have to make the trip back, and then like two days after that I'm off to Vegas for CES! The day AFTER I get back from CES, it's off to MacWorld (luckily that's a few blocks away from work, so I don't have to think about it too much.)

So many exciting, stressful events to look forward to. I need a vacation from my vacation.

I just don't know...

2005-12-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

In light of recent comments to my post on the possible upcoming Star Trek movie, I feel the need to make a few more observations. Why the hell are they including that weirdo from "Enterprise" (I don't CARE if he was on "Quantum Leap") and not Captain Janeway and Commander Sisco?! I'm sorry. "Enterprise" was weak. Weeeeak.

Let me make a personal reference. "Enterprise" was to the Star Trek franchise as "Machina: The Machines of God" was to the Smashing Pumpkins. Catch my drift? Go listen to the album and you'll understand. Oh, you didn't buy it? Exactly.

Rainy day

2005-12-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

Finally! A rainy Saturday where I don't have to feel guilty about sitting at home and watching TV, playing WoW, and reading to my little hearts content. Unfortunately, there's no food in the house, and all the food I've attempted to make has somehow become inedible. That's because I can't take care of myself.

So that's all I've got going on today. Tonight apparently we're going soul dancing, which should be fun. I haven't gone out in quite some time. Because I'm laaaaazy.

Oh! Time to make the Netflix worth my fee. Adieu!

New Star Trek movie?

2005-12-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

Star Trek captains William Shatner, Patrick Stewart and Scott Bakula are set to join forces in a new movie.
The trio will reportedly star in the unnamed film that will be set in the 'mirror universe,' which was featured in both the Next Generation and Enterprise TV series.

OMFG. I'm assuming that when they say "mirror universe," they're referring the the alternate universe caused when someone goes through the Nexus. If you recall, in "Star Trek: Generations" Picard actually meets Kirk (and they kick ass TOGETHER). A Trekker's wet dream. Anywho, I hope this is true. I'll be first in line, biatch!

read more | digg story

Hot feet! Hot feet!

2005-12-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

Finally! My black-on-black vans have arrived! Unfortunately, they are about 1/4 size too small, but it's better than admitting I have huge feet. Oh, the things I do for fashion (it's not much, really...)

So I love them anyway. Except for one problem, which the Vans are not at fault for. I haven't done laundry recently (for economic reasons, as well as time restraints), and the only good socks I really had left are these great plaid wool ones. Perfect for a winter in Boston, terrible for the mild climate of San Francisco. My feet are SWEATING! It feels like I'm standing on hot coals. Also, I'm pretty sure some of the discomfort is due to itching from the wool. My feet don't normally itch... GAH! It's driving me INSANE!

Ok... no more feet talk. Too bad that's all I have in me right now.