Chris Ullrich @ micro dot blog

I have several jobs, much like the characters in that “In Living Color” skit. I don’t work in the gift shop, though. (dating myself a bit?). Anyway, one of those jobs is in IT or Information Technology, to the folks who don’t know. I have come across this same problem for many years because we do quite a bit of work with the Macintosh. Although, in truth, we are actually benefitting from this.

We usually get the call because the in-house IT department either can’t or won’t support a user who wants to use a Macintosh. So, good for us. I hope those Windows-only IT slugs never learn about the Macintosh and never want to support it. More business for us. I’m not saying that the Mac is the best thing in every situation. Sometimes, it isn’t.

I have had to make decisions and recommend Windows solutions sometimes when a Mac solution just isn’t in the best interest of the client. Do I wish that the Mac was the best choice all the time? Sure. But that’s just not how it is.

According to a recent paper published in Physical Review Letters, Einstein was right when he said he was wrong. So-called Dark Matter isn’t really the cause of the expanding universe. It’s all because of ripples in space-time that streatch beyond the edge of the observable universe.

Great, that clears it up.

It looks like the Irish have more on the ball, in some ways, than we do. They are going to be converting to all digital movie theaters in the very near future.

Good for them. I think its just around the corner for us too.

Yep, it really happened. Yahoo has purchased photo site flickr. I’m not exactly sure how I feel about that. I like flickr the way it is (mostly). Maybe it will all work out for the best? Of course, the cynic in me says “no”. But you never know, do you?

Waiting for a meeting at Art's in Studio City. I seem to be the only one I
know who gets anywhere on time. Nice window booth though. Too bad its
raining again. I thought we were done with this. Guess not.

Some celebs here, I think. Is it possible that both Catherine Zeta Jones
and Christie Brinkley could be in the same deli at the same time? Looks
like them but I can't get closer without being rude.

So, I will just gawk from across the room.  Wish the Treo had a better
zoom.  Then I could really get thrown out of here.

Ok, gotta go, my meeting is here.

Patrick Norton, of The Screensavers fame (back when it was actually a good show.) now has his own blog. It only took him several years and a bet from his Screensavers co-stars Kevin Rose and Leo Laporte. Good job Patrick. Welcome to the typepad neighborhood.

Ok, now I have to go to a meeting with my managers and pitch them stuff. What fun.

Later.

Some friends of mine have pointed out that in my last suedo-political post I forgot to mention the Scott Peterson murder trial. He was found guilty of murdering his wife, Laci, and their unborn child. His sentence, death. Can’t say I’m too broken up about it.

As I like the movies and tv, I thought I would throw down some movie and tv news (mixed with a little commentary, of course). So here goes:

Joss Whedon, creater of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel” and “Firefly”, will write and direct the new big-screen version of “Wonder Woman”. He likes strong female characters so this makes sense. I like women who tie you up and make you tell the truth so count me in too.

And, in case you missed it, actor Robert Blake of “Beretta” fame (man, I loved that talking bird) has been found not guilty on charges that he killed his wife. The jury did not think the evidence was strong enough to convict him. I wonder if we will start bumping into him at Vitello’s again, now that he’s a free man.

Also, the musical version of “The Lord of the Rings” (yes, I said musical) will debut in Toronto next year with an eye to move to the states later.

And, in a story close to me (not for the reason you think. I almost made a movie in India and have friends in the business there) In a clip aired on India TV, film star Shakti Kapoor is seen telling an actress, “All actresses have slept with directors. I want to make love to you and kiss you. You must do this or else I won’t be able to help you.” The footage has caused an uproar in Bollywood. Kapoor denies the charges. So, the casting couch is real, eh? At least in Bollywood. I’m sure that would never happen here.

And, last but not least, I recently had occasion to visit some people working on the new “Miami Vice” movie. All I can say is that with Michael Mann directing and from the stuff I saw, it is going to be pretty cool. Plus, I really loved the original series so it was even more fun to see some of the ways in which it will be updated. Time to pull the white suit and blue t-shirt out of the closet.

As many of you know, I have been trying to stay away from politics subsequent to the presidential “election”. But, just when I think I’m out, I get pulled back in. So, I want to mention what happened here in California because I know it will give President Bush and all the other hate-mongers a stomach ache for at least the next few days.

A judge ruled that the state cannot bar gay marriage and that specifying that marriage is between “a man and a woman” is unconstitutional. Here’s the money quote from Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer:

“No rational basis exists for limiting marriage in this state to opposite-sex partners”

There you go. Of course, the decision will be up for appeal.

And while I’m here, there were a couple more things that happened in the last day or so that made me smile but also made my stomach hurt a little too.

First, a new poll (reg required) regarding the war in Iraq shows that 53 percent of Americans said the war was not worth fighting, 57 percent said they disapprove of the president’s handling of Iraq and 70 percent said the number of U.S. casualties, now just over 1,500, is an unacceptable price to pay.

Where were these people during the election? If you don’t like the way the guy is doing the job, don’t vote for him again. It’s that simple.

Also, Bernard J. Ebbers, former CEO Worldcom, was found guilty on charges of fraud. His contention that he was ignorant of the illegal accounting practices that pushed his telecom company into bankruptcy apparently did little to persuade the jury. Ebbers faces a maximum of 85 years in prison.

Now, if the same thing happens to Ken Lay, we may really be on to something.

As many of you know, I have been trying to stay away from politics subsequent to the presidential “election”. But, just when I think I’m out, I get pulled back in. So, I want to mention what happened here in California because I know it will give President Bush and all the other hate-mongers a stomach ache for at least the next few days.

A judge ruled that the state cannot bar gay marriage and that specifying that marriage is between “a man and a woman” is unconstitutional. Here’s the money quote from Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer:

“No rational basis exists for limiting marriage in this state to opposite-sex partners”

There you go. Of course, the decision will be up for appeal.

And while I’m here, there were a couple more things that happened in the last day or so that made me smile but also made my stomach hurt a little too.

First, a new poll (reg required) regarding the war in Iraq shows that 53 percent of Americans said the war was not worth fighting, 57 percent said they disapprove of the president’s handling of Iraq and 70 percent said the number of U.S. casualties, now just over 1,500, is an unacceptable price to pay.

Where were these people during the election? If you don’t like the way the guy is doing the job, don’t vote for him again. It’s that simple.

Also, Bernard J. Ebbers, former CEO Worldcom, was found guilty on charges of fraud. His contention that he was ignorant of the illegal accounting practices that pushed his telecom company into bankruptcy apparently did little to persuade the jury. Ebbers faces a maximum of 85 years in prison.

Now, if the same thing happens to Ken Lay, we may really be on to something.

I wish this kind of thing had been around when I played all my role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. My friends and I might have done something like this if the technology was available. I can see how it can make the gaming more interesting. Isn’t technology cool?

Well, just saw the new trailer at the end of the O.C. (yes, I watch the O.C., what of it?) All I can say is the movie looks pretty dark and evil and is not going to end well for many characters. I like it and will definitely be at the Chinese Theater on May 19th, as always.

I won’t comment on the editing or pacing of the trailer or the content, but I did enjoy it and have watched it at least five times now. What can I say, I’m a Star Wars fan. Always have been, always will be. Is there anyone who isn’t going to see this movie? Maybe a few but I can say with 100% confidence that this movie will be huge, a blockbuster to end all blockbusters. Maybe even bigger than Titanic (although Hayden is no Leo, sadly).

If you want your own copy of the trailer and didn’t TiVo it like I did, check out this site for links to quite a few torrents. If you don’t have bittorrent, get it here. Enjoy!

My brother Sam and his band, The High Violets, are playing tonight here in LA. They will be at King King in Hollywood and I expect this to be a great show. I say “I expect” because I have never actually seen them live before. Although, the music on their website is great. So, come on over and check it out. Oh, and buy tons of drinks as I think they get part of the booze sales. Maybe some of the gate too. Either way, just come on out and support local music (even if his band is really from Portland).

In other news, it seems the Israeli army frowns on Dungeons and Dragons players. The Israeli Defense Forces say players are “detached from reality” and are automatically given a low security clearance. Now, I played D&D for a long time when I was a kid and I don’t think it made me detached from reality. Although I did end up in the movie business which is kinda detached from reality. And, I have never had a typical “real” job in my life working in an office or a bank or fast food or something. I don’t think I am detached from reality at all.

Now where did I put my +3 Vorpal Sword so I can go smite those fools?!

As a devoted Mac user and fan of Patrick Norton (formerly of Tech TV’s The Screensavers) I read this article with keen interest. He makes some excellent points without talking about things he probably can’t talk about, due to various NDA agreements.

Sadly, I am under many of those agreements as well and can’t elaborate at the moment. Suffice to say that the new version of OSX, Tiger, is going to rock. I think it will be a must-have upgrade. I can’t exactly say the same for Longhorn, yet. I am looking forward to the 64-bit version of Window XP, however. At least it has an actual release date (so far).

New trailer for the movie version of Frank Miller’s Sin City. Looks like it has a great deal of potential. I’m looking forward to it.

A great mash-up of vintage “Superfriends” video with audio from the movie “Office Space”. Watch it and have a good laugh. This is some funny sheet.

Still trying out mo:blog and posting directly from the Treo 650. So far, so good. It is a little easier than sending the entry via email and it offers more flexability as well.

And believe me, I likey the flexability. Even if I don’t have much myself.

But here I sit. I feel a little like a traitor as I am writing while enjoying a cold beverage at Coffee Bean. Yes, I said Coffee Bean. Sadly, a Starbucks was just not near enough to where I am.

I am waiting for a meeting that got pushed back. But I am already here so I found the nearest place to hang out and wait. Fun. At least its only for a short time. I hope nobody sees me here. Crap, here comes someone I know.

Nope. Not if these guys have their way. Can you say invisibility shield? They can. Now if they could just perfect those x-ray vision goggles I would be set. Of course, this would have really helped when I was a frustrated high school freshman thinking about a way to get into the girl’s locker room. Sadly, I never made it. You can’t have everything I guess.

Because when he goes to Disney World, Mickey Mouse dresses up for him. In a Jedi costume no less. Now that’s power.