Jimmy the Gun

These Kids Can Play...and the Millennium Falcon

2012-02-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

These are some talented kids. You know what I got out of this video? There is a huge Millennium Falcon in the background.

The Future Could Be "A Day Made of Glass" (Video)

2012-02-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

I saw "A Day Made of Glass 2" on Mashable's Twitter feed today and was amazed by it. This is a futuristic look at what Corning could do with glass and electronics. I want this. Take a look.

Here is the original "A Day Made of Glass"

Kinect Star Wars...Yeah, I Need An XBOX Now (VIDEO)

2012-01-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

So it may be time for me to get an XBOX. Wait and you'll see why.

Thanks @shirleyface.

Silence Your Cell Phone Or Else

2012-01-25T20:09:00.000-08:00

This is great because the violinist is able to mock the rude cell phone owner, give dirty looks, and show off his amazing talent to improvise.

The Types of Man

2012-01-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, our pastor used an interesting description of 4 types of man. I modified it a little and added a fifth. He admitted, as do I, this is not completely theologically sound, but I found it interesting enough to post.

If you are interested in his explanation, head over to bridgewaychristian.org and look for the audio for Part 2 of his Hebrews series. Heck, listen to the first one too.

Types of Man
1. Original man - created by the hand of God, sinless Adam, Eve, and Jesus

2. Fallen man - all mankind after Adam and Eve sinned, apart from God

3. Redeemed man - saved from sin by Jesus, believer by faith

4. Condemned man - fallen man at death, sent to pay his own price for sin

5. Glorified man - redeemed man at death, covered by the blood of Jesus, who is the only original man to live to death in His original sinless perfection as both God and man, able to pay the price for all, bringing many sons to glory

Chip Foose Talks About Volkswagen

2012-01-21T19:40:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has read this blog knows I love Volkswagen. Now, VW has hired hot rod designer Chip Foose to talk about his 1985 GTI. He makes a great point about VW. "One of the greatest things that Volkswagen has achieved is the fact that you can watch the evolution of their design. They didn't abandon a great form to do something new; they just enhanced the details of each car." And the do just get better and better.

This is coupled with the announcement of their iPad app for the Golf R.

Reporter Interrupted for Report Ruining The Fun

2012-01-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

My favorite part of this video is the new desk guy's response at the end.

The "Dumbest Stuff (People Do) On Wheels"

2012-01-14T16:16:00.000-08:00

This is some crazy stupid stuff. If you have a weak stomach, you may not want to watch.

Music From Household Dishes and a Special Knowledge of Electronics

2012-01-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

I find this amazing, electronic equipment and dishes turned into music.

My Bright Idea #13 - The Next Generation of The TV

2011-12-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

My Bright Idea #13 - December 19, 2011
This "My Bright Idea" post is the unlucky number "13", but I think the idea may already be in the works with Apple's rumored TV project. I think the next generation of television should change from the standard "over the air" style setup and be more like on-demand via high speed Internet. This would mean you watch what you want when you want, without filling up your DVR or missing an episode of your favorite show due to a signal, DVR, or scheduling issue. Logistically, I see the scheduling of shows and their episodes looking similar to today's setup, with an "episode air time and date". This would be the "release time" for the shows' newest episodes. But watching the episode would be completely different. Instead of watching a show at its schedule day and time or setting up a timer in your DVR, this on-demand style set up would allow the viewer to stream the episode after it's release time.

Also, because the networks and producers of television shows need to make money, advertisements would be embedded in the stream and/or pop-up at the top or bottom of the screen, or before the stream started. With advertising profits shrinking because of DVRs,and their commercial skipping or fast-forwarding features, this streaming option would force the commercials to be played, similar to Internet streaming now.

The hardware would need to be ready to grab a stream of the available shows (similar to Netfix's streaming setup), as well as, grab the over-the-air signal for live viewing. The menu system would need to be similar to a TV guide, but with fully functional search features, including shows and their past episodes. Each network could still have their different stations, as well as, local news and information specific to each network. While live viewing or searching a particular networks "channel" ads profits would benefit the particular network. The menus could be set up in such a way that each network can have the list of all their shows, combined with lists of all the available seasons and episodes, and even suggestions and social media elements for discovery options.

My Bright Idea #12 - Mircosoft and "The W"

2011-12-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

My Bright Idea #12 - December 14, 2011
Microsoft should buy W.com and turn it into their cloud based storage service. The W would Work with all Windows products for seamless storage and access to all the user's files. It would compete with Apple's iCloud service, and offer Windows Phone users similar capabilities, but offer seamless integration with all of Microsoft's products and other services.

The W is for Windows, for the Web, for the World Where you Want it.

My Bright Idea #11 - iVoIP, The Apple Home Phone

2011-12-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

My Bright Idea #11 - November 21, 2011
Apple needs to create a VoIP calling feature for Wireless network calling. I call it "iVoIP". It would be the Apple Home Phone and work with the iPhone, once it's on your home WiFi network. Since so many people don't even have home phones anymore, it would be an awesome way to have your cell phone work on your home wireless network, saving valuable cell minutes, and in my case, provide a better signal and higher call quality. It would also be cool if aftermarket companies designed home phone style docking stations that charged your cell phone, and allowed for a more conventional handset to be used throughout the house. Retro styles, multiple handsets throughout the house, charging, music playing, etc. would all be cool aftermarket devices.

Music, Cars, Beautiful Country (VIDEO)

2011-12-09T21:17:00.001-08:00

Jimmy the Gun, And His Trusted Sidekick, Pepper Spray (UPDATED)

2011-11-28T12:51:00.001-08:00

I have to work on the UC Davis campus every few weeks. I've been taking our newest team member with me, partly for training, but mostly for the additional set of eyes. There is a lot to do in a branch I visit so infrequently. Today I was asked when I was scheduled to be there next. After giving my schedule, I made a joke about bringing pepper spray with me. My co-worker, the one who as been going with me, asked if that was my nickname for her. We had a good laugh about it and we came up with our new super hero characters and slogan:

Jimmy the Gun, and his trusted sidekick Pepper Spray. Righting the wrongs and mocking the stupid. It's what we do.

For those of you who have not heard about the pepper spraying incident, the video is below. It is a little shocking for those sheltered few still left in our society, but I offer this advice: no matter what your political views are, if a member of law enforcement gives you a direct order, you better obey it or be prepared to experience pain compliance and arrest control techniques, and be ready to part with your freedoms as an American Citizen. If an officer of the law is actually unjustly violating your rights, comply now and sue later. It will be much more satisfying later in court if you stay "in the right". But the second you do not comply with the directions of someone, who has been deemed capable of enforcing the laws of our society and, subsequently, has been given the authority to take away many of those rights and freedoms from law violators, you are wrong.

This video clearly shows the 2min 28sec delay from warning to spraying. That's soooooo much time to move out of law enforcement's way.
As an upstanding member of society, if you are given the order to move out of the way of officers so they can effect a lawful arrest, you would gladly move out of the way. If you deemed that arrest as unlawful, as an upstanding member of society you would still move out of the way, and later file a formal complaint with the agency, and possibly move to file suit against the officer(s) involved. It is only the members of society who do not conform to the rules that get pepper sprayed after being warned to move out of the path of officers effecting an arrest. At least in this video that's the case.

UPDATED: Here's a video with audio of the cops warning the Occupy Morons. "Spray away", I say.

Hot Wheels, Gymkhana, Ken Block, MBI #1, Sweet (VIDEO)

2011-11-27T20:20:00.001-08:00

I've posted about Ken Block and his amazing driving skills before, but I heard recently about a Hot Wheels model of his Ford Fiesta. Now, I didn't plan on going out and getting it, as I'm not THAT crazy. But I found one at Target tonight, while paying my kid for a bet I lost. Yep, I bet my kid and lost, which is why I do not gamble. Here are some images I shot of the Hot Wheels 2011 Ken Block Ford Fiesta:

This is sort of like the start to "My Bright Idea #1" coming true.

And here is his latest Gymkhana Video.

Running From the Police...Fail

2011-11-23T12:01:00.001-08:00

This is awesome. Apparently, this guy running from the cops, thought he could scale the police SUV, but fails Listen for his head cracking on the street after he is tackled by the officer. He'll down for a while.

My Bright Idea #10 - Google's MMORPG Using Google Earth

2011-11-22T10:51:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #10 - September 6, 2011
Google should develop an MMORPG using Google Earth and the 3D buildings that people are creating. People can join the "real world", but play and do things they may not normally do or be able to be part of.

This goes with my MMORPG "Real World" Game idea, where people play out themselves in the real world, but are able to choose to be "good" or "bad" and perform tasks to that end. You either choose to do things like stopping crimes seen in the game, or you choose to do them. People would live out their desired role, leading toward enforcement of rule and law or the destruction of it. Each "good" or "bad" thing done would earn the player points toward their goal. Depending on where and how the crimes or prevention is done, the player would earn roles in the world they create. There would also be an underlying points system for those things done without detection. This would allow for things like secret alter-egos in the world.

For example, if someone decided to be "good" and prevented crime, they may choose to become a COP, working a beat, etc. But if they prevent crimes that are behind the scenes, in dark allies, in back rooms, etc., they can earn roles such as FBI agent, with access to more information about other players or game characters, that might not otherwise be known. FBI agents would have access to information saved in the server, but not part of a characters "known" status in the world. If someone decides to be "good" but hides their identity with masks or costumes, they can eventually gain a super power.

On the bad side, the range of positions starts at street thug and goes to crime boss. And, for those that are able to reach crime boss and complete dangerous tasks without detection, they can "accidentally" be turned into a super villain with a super power, gained by a tragic accident within the game.

My Bright Idea #9 - Read My Twitter Feed for Me

2011-11-22T10:21:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #9 - June 20, 2011
The Twitter app on the iPhone should be updated to allow users to; first, record their user name as an audio file attached to their profile; and second, add a feed reading function that audibly reads a feed aloud so a user can hear the feed while doing other things, such as driving. By allowing users to record their user name to their profile, Twitter can include that quick audio file during the reading portion any time the user's name appears in the feed.

My Bright Idea #8 - Falling Down 2, The Law Makers Will Pay

2011-11-22T10:12:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #8 - May 28, 2010
Someone needs to make the next installment of the movie "Falling Down", about a man who goes after the law makers who are telling him how to live and raise his kids. Things that have set him off include: seat belt law, helmet law, no juice in daycare, schools monitoring kids lunches, no dodge-ball, blaming McDonald's for fat kids, etc.

My Bright Idea #7 - Eco-Escalators

2011-11-22T10:04:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #7 - March 25, 2010
Escalators should be put on motion sensors that start the escalators as someone approaches, and stops them when they are not in use.

My Bright Idea #6 - Bio Diesel for Garbage Trucks

2011-11-22T09:58:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #6 - March 24, 2010
Garbage can be turned into bio diesel; therefore, garbage should be turned into bio-diesel for garbage trucks.

UDATED February 4, 2012:
It's here. Check out this story.

My Bright Idea #5 - The Bean Spreader

2011-11-22T09:47:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #4 - January 10, 2010
The Bean Spreader, a device that clamps onto a can of beans and helps spread beans out at an even amount, would be helpful in making nachos, quesadillas, and huevos rancheros. Anything needing a thin layer of beans evenly spread over a large area would benefit from a bean spreading device.

My Bright Idea #4 - I Thought of The Atrix First

2011-11-22T09:37:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #4 - January 1, 2010
Someone should design a handheld device that docks with a keyboard, monitor, and mouse to act as a full sized computer.

This actually happened with the introduction of the Motorola Atrix, a little over a year later on February 13, 2011.

My Bright Idea #3 - Taco Tree Should Franchise

2011-11-22T09:29:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #3 - September 24, 2009
Taco Tree should franchise. At the time I wrote this, the Krispy Kreme building in Roseville, CA was still empty and I thought that would be the perfect location for a Taco Tree. Their food is fast and fresh and really great. It's a quality fast food joint that makes memorable tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and even bun tacos. Plus, they've sold the best tasting Pepsi products for at least 20 years I can remember.

I still think they should franchise, and by starting in a location where people know the name, they will only have continued success.

My Bright Idea #2 - Social Media Works for Advertising

2011-11-22T09:19:00.001-08:00

My Bright Idea #2 - September 15, 2009
This one has partially come true, although not to the level to which I believe it could be utilized. "My Employer" should use social media for marketing. Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are some of the more popular forms of media out there, and if done right, can increase awareness, sales, and reputation of the company in the market.

I did call my employer to discuss my ideas with the head of marketing back in September 2009, but was told, "we are working on our policy" and "watch for job postings in the future", but I was never allowed to present my specific ideas.