Pop Culture and a Quiz

Thanks to everyone who shared stories of connecting online on Wednesday’s Post! Some of the comments were very moving. You guys rock!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is at eighty-five percent on Rotten Tomatoes, so I’ll probably see it this weekend…


Now for some interesting things I discovered this week…


Ben & Jerry’s has a new flavor - Boba Fett's Carbonite Crunch!

Complete with chocolate frozen Han Solos.

Too bad it’s a fake - I’d eat that!


IPad rumors…

The iPad 3 could come out around Thanksgiving. But there’s also an iPad 2 HD in development that might push it back to next year. Hey, I’ll take either!


And a Swedish man was arrested for trying to split atoms at home. Claimed it was just a hobby. And I thought my hobbies were weird…


Now for a short Pop Quiz! Winners will receive a warm, fuzzy feeling:

What was the band Blue Oyster Cult’s original name back in the sixties?

Which movie franchise boasts the most film titles?

When did the first VCR appear on the market?

How many movies have made over a billion dollars? And can you name them without cheating?

All right, let's hear your answers! And your thoughts on the ice cream. Would you eat a chocolate Han Solo?

Cool Geekness for Research

Haven’t discussed apps in a while and felt it was time to geek out on you! Besides, "Priest" wasn't getting very good reviews, so skipped it this weekend. Seen too many average films this year. Believe it or not, "Fast Five" is still the best of 2011 so far!

Now, how about a Qwiki?

No! The app Qwiki. If you have an iPad, iPhone, Droid, or other gizmo, check for this awesome app.

Three million topics all in one app! It’s interactive summaries of millions of places, people and things. Want to know about Chicago? You’ll see a short video first and then it gives you options of what you want to explore around Chicago. Want to know more about Iron Man? Whales? Kate Beckinsale? It’s all there!

ABC News says – “…It might just give (a major search engine) a run for its money”

It’s like a glimpse into the future – so interactive, with video and audio. Perfect for writer research as well. A totally cool app! Give Qwiki a try.


And don’t forget the blogfest!


It’s All Fun & Games Blogfest, June 6, 2011 - list your three most favorite games and why. Board games, card games, RPG, video games, physical games, drinking games - even mind games! If it’s a game you enjoy playing, it’s worth sharing.

Sign up below.

Shall we play a game?

Rango Review and the iPad 2

RANGO

The critics were right - it’s quirky as hell!
The animation is staggeringly beautiful. This is as close to real as it gets - very soon, you won’t be able to tell the difference. Yes, it’s that impressive. The hair, the feathers, the texture - just incredible!
The story is a mishmash of a dozen different westerns. The existential comedy gives nods to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, High Noon, and pretty much any Sergio Leone film.
It’s a little overlong, with a slower pace and a few stand out action set pieces. And again, it’s quirky. Small kids won’t get the humor. It’s more unusual funny than laugh out loud funny.
After over hyping Johnny Depp as the voice of Rango, he really blends. The character is inexperienced but not a bumbling idiot, and we see him grow over the course of the movie.
Overall, I enjoyed it! You should go for the visual feast - and stay for the quirkiness.

The iPad 2

First, it is NOT available for preorder. The iPad 2 goes on sale at 5 pm on March 11.

In the meantime, all first gen iPads are $100 off. Yes, until 5 pm this coming Friday, when they will all be removed from the marketplace, the iPad 1 is $100 cheaper. (That’s just how Apple rolls.)

What’s new? Let me give you a brief rundown.

It’s thinner (8.8mm) and lighter (1.3 pounds) and now available in white. It now has a dual core chip. It now has dual cameras and Facetime capability. It offers AirPlay, where you can view your iPad on your TV. In the area of software, it offers a revamped iMovie and GarageBand, Apple's two excellent programs for video and music editing. Prices will remain unchanged.

For more information:
Apple Store
iPad 1 vs. iPad 2
What’s Changed

And for those trying to decide which tablet to buy - a Comparison Keep in mind the gigantic platform that is iTunes - the iTunes/iBookstore/apps store has no equal.

Those are the specs!

Will I be buying an iPad 2 next Friday night?

Yeah, I’m a geek - I’ll be there before 5 pm!

Any other geeks? Rango opinions? More Hot Tamales you’d care to throw?

Why YOU Need an iPad for Christmas!

Continuing with cool Christmas ideas, this is one of the best! Unless you’re hoping for a new car or 3D TV… Let me give you a run-down on the features: EReader - Since so many compare it to a Nook or Kindle, let me start here. It’s an excellent eReader and in glorious color! The bookstore on iTunes grows bigger every day and there are apps for the Nook and Kindle so you can download those books as well. Yes, it is backlit. How many times are you really going to read it in the hot sun anyway? Besides, when it gets dark, while others scramble for a portable light, you are good to go! There is a sepia setting to help eyestrain, but I stare at a computer for ten hours a day, and it doesn’t bother me. Internet and email - Either with WiFi or a wireless connection (for a monthly fee) and many of the sites have their own apps. (Such as YouTube, Pandora, Blastr, ESPN, etc.) Movies - Do you realize how many movies you can download to your iPad? The more gigs, the more movies! And you can view Watch-Now NetFlix movies as well. Music - Just like an iPod - fill 'er up! And the sound is really good. And loud. Better use ear buds. Photos - All of your photos at your fingertips, ready to be shown to the next unsuspecting victim. (Did I mention the amazing color on the iPad?) Games - More games than you could play in a lifetime! Some are free, some cost a couple bucks. Currently, I’m the Muddle Master. Word-processing apps - Yes, you can download an app (mine is Pages) that allows you to type, save, and download to your Word files. The keyboard is really easy to use - turn it sideways, and it’s just inches shorter than a real keyboard. Misc Apps - Ones for photo-processing, stargazing, Vooks (video books), comic books, weather updates, … you name it, iTunes has it! Useless Apps - Want your iPad to sound like a light saber when you swing it? Yup, there’s an app for that! Want a talking robot that repeats your words? Check. Lots of dumb, useless apps! You don’t need a Mac - just plug it in and download to your PC. It’s not a full laptop, but I can see why the iPad has killed net book sales. It’s even better than an iTouch on steroids. What are you waiting for? Add the iPad to your Christmas list now! Or make someone else’s Christmas really awesome.  

And Captain Ninja Alex will be happy to answer any iPad questions. Just remember, I’m biased!

Working the Steps

Thanks for visiting Sharp Pen Dull Sword yesterday! Probably my most revealing interview so far. And yes, a guaranteed date every night rocks.

Today, I’m “working it” at RaShelle Workman’s site, A No. 2 Pencil Stat! RaShell’s an awesome lady. And she rocks, despite what her kids think!

And cheers for Clarissa at Listen to the Voices - she got a book deal!

Downloaded ESPN’s Sports Tap ap to my iPad recently. It provides updates on your favorite teams or sport. If a game’s in progress, it announces every new score, even if the device is off. You read that right! Freaked me out the first time I heard the ESPN jingle from my quiet iPad. Remind me not to follow basketball, as it would just chirp all night long.

I plan to catch RED this weekend. If that doesn’t work out, we’ll just watch How To Train Your Dragon again.

Anyone else catching a movie this weekend?

Did You Know...?

Just entertaining and interesting news from around the web... New Terry Brooks novel due out on August 24, 2010 - Bearers of the Black Staff (Legends of Shannara) Sharktopus makes an appearance in Futurama!  Lame movie news - Columbia Pictures is in negotiations with Len Wiseman (Underworld) to direct a reboot of Total Recall. Yes, the 1990 movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently we didn’t have special effects back in 1990. Why else remake the film? Three people are suing Apple over ‘overheating’ iPads. The iPad automatically shuts down when used in temperatures or direct sunlight over 95 degrees for extended periods of time. This is to prevent damage to the unit. Now, you make think this is an issue with users or that the unit has failed to shut down before the heat causes permanent damage. Not true! Prepare for the real reason these people are suing: “The plaintiffs seem to take particular issue with Apple claiming that "reading on the iPad is just like reading a book." This claim is patently false, according to the lawsuit, because a real book can be used in "the sunlight or other normal environmental conditions" without shutting off.” - CNN.com Is that petty or what? I’m sure Kindle and Nook lawsuits will follow. Let's see how fast Amazon and Barnes and Nobel's legal department can move to remove the words "just like a book" from all literature! New albums coming within the next year from the following bands: Anthrax – Worship Music Serenity – Death & Legacy Symphony X OSI Fates Warning And… Rush – Clockwork Angels, due out Spring of 2011!!

July 29th was Geddy Lee’s birthday! The dude is fifty-seven - can you believe that?

Last but not least, I am visiting Breakthrough Blogs on Monday, sharing a little bit about my publishing journey. Stephen also has a new book coming out, so visit his site to learn more! Anything else of interest happening in the world of entertainment? Platytigers taking over the world perhaps? (Now that would be quite a sight!)

iPhones, iPads, and eBooks

Unless you've been living in a cave, you know that the new iPhone comes out on June 25th. The iPhone 4 runs $199-299, is thinner, and boasts a camera, plus it features the iOS 4 operating system which adds multitasking.

Apple is also releasing new apps that will enable those with iPhones and iTouches to download books from the iBookstore. Apple's eBook store will also feature books in pdf format. Helen Ginger had a great article about this yesterday, so visit her site for more details.

The iPad has had an impact on the eBook market, too. Apple's devices now rank third, just behind the Kindle and computers, as the eReader of choice. Online reading of newspapers and magazines has increased as well. And a third of all eReader owners purchased their device within the last six months.

And to give you an idea how many iPads are out there - two million have been sold worldwide since its debut on April 3, barely two months ago. One market research company says it will hit sixteen million units sold in the first year. And it's taken a bite out of the computer notebook industry, which has dropped 45% this year.

So what does everyone else think about all of this? Do you plan to purchase the new iPhone or the iPad?

Writing, Reading, iPad, and Stuff

India found this great item for writers called The Wasteline Test, which measures the amount of bad grammar stuff in our writing. Follow the link at her site - India Drummond
My writing measured ‘lean,’ which is awesome!

I'm working on another project while kicking around some new ideas. Something about the storyline for CassaStar's sequel didn't feel right, so I sat down this weekend with one of my test readers, and we tossed out some ideas. He had great suggestions and spurred my imagination, and the outline is much stronger now. I'll have to do a lot more research for this one, but I'm really excited.

I'm currently reading two books, a fantasy by Robin Hobb and one from The Autumn Rain trilogy by David J. Williams. However, the latest Preston & Child book, Fever Dream, arrived Saturday. I'm tearing through it, so hope to have a review up soon.

Have I mentioned lately that my iPad still rocks? I did make one mistake, though. I had Plants vs. Zombies on my iTouch, so I downloaded it to my iPad as well, just to see it on the larger screen. Yes, it sucked me in! I'm currently on the roof, so not long before I win it yet again...

As for stuff - I updated my blogroll on the right this weekend. If anyone who visits my blog and comments on a regular basis is not listed, please let me know! I've got all but the very newest followers up and may have missed a devoted friend.

Oh, and I finally have a button. Left hand side of blogroll, near the top. (For all those who've been asking for the past month!)

And Shannon at Faith, Hope, and Love passed out some awards the other day - and this one excited me:

*****************************************

Rock Star Blogger! Have guitar, will travel.

******************************************

I'll just pass this along to two others who rock-

Jamie at Mithril Wisdom and Arlee at Tossing it Out

Do You Have a Book in the iBookstore?

I follow several authors with published books - are any of your books in the iBookstore? I want to find as many as possible, download the free sample, and then take a photo for everyone to see. And I think it would be really cool to start reading some of my friends' books. So let me know the title of your book and I will seek it out!

And for those of you who don't, how many want their book in the iBookstore one day?

IPad Game Apps and Awards

The ability to play games on the iPad is one of the best features - of course! Games range in price from FREE to $9.99. I've found some of the best games are under $2, and those I'd purchased for my iTouch were free for the iPad. (Except in special cases.)

Peggle is a game anyone can play. The object is to eliminate the red dots, and it's set up almost like a pinball game. It's also very addictive! The best part - when you clear a screen, celebration music explodes, along with fireworks. Makes me smile every time.

Zombieville is simple - shoot zombies! Who doesn't love to do that? Your character has to run down the street, entering houses for $ and ammo, and shoot all the zombies. This is not for the faint at heart - when you shoot a zombie, his head explodes! (It's all done in cartoon fun, though.)
Don't you wish YOU were shooting zombies right now?

I've also received some awards this past week:

Yvonne at Welcome to my World of Poetry gave me The Circle of Friends Award. Thanks, Yvonne!

B. Miller at B. Miller Fiction gave me the Superior Scribbler award. Thanks, Miller!

I’m passing this along to Karen at Coming Down the Mountain

And Shannon at Faith, Hope, and Love created this special award, I Just Love Your Blog! Shannon, I really appreciate that!

I’m passing it along to 1 Wasabi Mommy, who has a great looking site! And likes to blog about food – makes me hungry.

Be sure to tune in Thursday when I post an interview with science fiction author, David J. Williams!

Sci Fi Wire

I've already reviewed the iPad - time to show you some of its tricks!

Sci Fi Wire is an app available for the iPad, iTouch, and iPhone. (And probably soon for the Android.)

Here's the description on SyFy.com:

Stay up-to-date with the latest SCI FI Wire news, photo galleries and videos on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch wherever you go. The free SCI FI Wire Reader App connects you to the latest over EDGE, 3G or a WiFi connection.


Okay, but what does it do???

Streaming science fiction news:
This is how I found out that Frank Frazetta had died.

Images:
Most are in connection with a story.

Videos: Clips, interviews, and movie trailers.

Sci Fi Wire is THE news source for iPad owners. It's updated constantly. Even better - the app is FREE! Can't beat that price.

To see all the apps available on SyFy.com or go directly to the iTunes store for Sci Fi Wire
One app down - fifty more to go!

Tech, News, and Other Stuff

Interesting news to kick off your weekend!

Go check out the latest issue from Prinkipria

Today is Summer’s birthday! Go wish her a happy birthday at And This Time Concentrate!

The iPad will soon have competition! Numerous other tablets are in the making, but the next big one will likely be Google’s, which uses Android. It also supports Flash. So far, I’ve not really missed the Flash on my iPad – so many sites are moving away from Flash.
I’m still digging my iPad, too. I think I have thirty apps downloaded now. The keyboard is so easy to use – it’s as wide as the iPad itself. If you have an opportunity, definitely check it out!

Starcraft II finally has a release date!!!!! July 27, 2010. Never thought I’d see that date in my lifetime…

And I am SO close to 100 followers! Okay, I can't give away a cash prize or anything, but... When I hit 100, I will randomly select one of those followers and do a special feature just for them! How's that?


I was tagged by Raquel Byrnes and Shannon at Faith, Hope, and Love

Okay, ladies, I'll play along...

For a "Tag" you answer 5 questions 5 times to share a bit about yourself. So here goes.

Question 1 - Where were you five years ago?
Working for a contract company
Five years younger
Here in the same house
Not yet ready to pursue my author goals
Did I mention five years younger?

Question 2 - Where would you like to be in five years?
An author with three books published
Doing more freelance work
Five years younger (I know, that can’t happen!)
Making a difference
With enough time to watch every movie released. Wait, I pretty much have that now...

Question 3 - What is on your to-do list today?
Play guitar
Fix the stove (That one’s been there a while)
Work on next book
Watch Stargate Universe
Spend time with my wife

Question 4 - What snacks do you enjoy?
Hot Tamales
Nachos
Pizza
Veggies
Okay, I’m a guy – I’d eat about anything

Question 5 - What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?
Make sure my family and friends never worked again
Take care of my church
Tour the world
Buy a Bugatti
Build my own personal movie theater – with free popcorn!

The rules are that I get to pass the Tag along to 5 Bloggers I admire....
Fallen Formulates Fiction
Spunk on a Stick
Cassandra Jade
Karen-Coming Down the Mountain
B. Miller


Okay, now back to work...

Variety

Continuing the A-Z Challenge from Arlee at Tossing it Out

Today is V – Variety


When it comes to my life, I like stability - but as far as my entertainment and interests, I like variety! So I found some interesting tidbits for everyone -

Prinkipria is looking for book reviewers! In return for providing them with one honest review each month (of any new book fantasy, sci-fi, horror or related) they are willing to offer that person:
· A direct link to that person's blog or website that would appear at the end of each review
· A thumbnail photo
· A one-paragraph bio
· Free listing on the teleporter" page
· 50% off any available advertising slot
Prinkipria is a great new site, so check it out!

On May 20, I will have the honor of hosting science fiction author, David J. Williams, here on my blog. He has agreed to answer some questions for an interview and I will post it just prior to the release of Machinery of Light, the third book in the Autumn Rain series.





Arlee at Tossing it Out gave out an award to all of us participating in the A-Z Challenge – thanks!

Remember my review of How to Train Your Dragon several weeks ago? This is the little movie who could – it’s #1 at the box office again, quietly beating out all new releases, and now sits at $178 million in the USA, and $354,521,000 world-wide.

In case you missed it, Avatar came out last Thursday on DVD - and surpassed The Dark Knight as the fastest-selling Bluray DVD, selling more than 4 million total DVDs in its first day. (Its grand total at the world-wide box office is $2,717,023,267.)

You knew this was bound to happen! In the Tech World, Porn Leads the Way - an article about the porn industry capitalizing on the new iPad.
(Certainly not on MY iPad, though! And yes, I still love my new iPad.)

Fritz Lang’s 1927 classic, Metropolis, will be re-released with lost footage in theaters in May and on DVD later this year – visit JoBlo’s website for details.

And I finally got to see a semi-final draft of my cover art last week and posted it here - CassaStar

Any other interesting tips, news, or items you'd like to add? The more the merrier - and the greater the variety.

IPad Review

Continuing the A-Z Challenge from Arlee at Tossing it Out

Today is I - and just in time for my review of the iPad!

This may not sound professional, but so far, it's freakin' awesome!

The screen is very bright and vivid - the colors just glow. The touch pad is incredibly responsive - when flipping pages of a book or zooming in on a photo, it requires the lightest of touch. You don't need a cumbersome manual with the iPad, the interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. Just like the smaller pods, you can quickly sync all your media into the device.

Downloading apps is where it gets fun! Of course NetFlix and Pandora were priorities. So was iBooks - and I've a list of books I want to download now. Apple allows you so download a sample of the book to read. Hard to tell exactly how much - maybe 10 or 15%? You can adjust the font type and size, which is nice. The pages flip just like a real book, too. And in color (ahem, Kindle.)

The Marvel app is very nice. There's several free comic books to start out your collection, and it appears most are about $1.99. What's amazing is how you read them! You can view a whole page or zoom in on one frame. Either allows you to scroll to the next page or frame with the touch of the screen. The color is absolutely amazing, too. I think this could be a revelutionary jump in the comic book and graphic novel industry.

There's one tiny speaker at the bottom of the device, but the sound quality is quite impressive.

I also downloaded the Pages app (like Word), but haven't had time to really utilize with the program. Too many apps, not enough time!

Overall, I am impressed! The response time is incredible, the graphics vivid, and the applications unlimited. With Internet access, I can keep up with the world with the press of a button. The iPad is definitely my new favorite tech toy!

This is not just an eReader - it's an iTouch on steroids. And I'll smack the next person who compares the iPad to a Kindle. (I'll use the iPad box - that thing's like a brick!)

eReader News and More

Entertainment Weekly features a column from Stephen King and this week he discussed eReaders. Mr. King loves his Kindle and states "Gadgets fascinate me, particularly if I can think of a way they might get weird." However, even he doesn't feel that eReaders can fully replace books.

I have agree with that statement. There's something about a physical book - the feel of the pages and knowledge that I hold a tangible object. ITunes may be my favorite store for music, but I often burn my downloads to disc, just in case.

Now, with all that in mind...

I pre-ordered my iPad this past weekend!

Yes, the pressure was too much. I had to possess the new gadget. And on April 12th, a Wi-Fi 64GB iPad and case will leave the Apple warehouse, destined for my address. So expect a comprehensive review of the device by the last week of April...

In other news, I received CASSASTAR back from my publisher after a round with the editor. So I will be busy with edits, rewrites, and polishes on my book this week. I also saw another rough draft of the cover art and it's really coming together.

And thanks to everyone who visits my blog on a regular basis. I appreciate the encouraging words and comments. I was even more stunned when science fiction author David J. Williams left a comment last week! I felt honored and humbled. (And I'm really looking forward to his next book, The Machinery of Light.)

Thanks again - and movie review tomorrow, I promise!

Tech Stuff - XBox, iPad, etc.

Just a quick update on some devices! The Xbox 360 will soon possess USB storage. (Caught this on Attack of the Show, who credits Joystiq.) The softward update is scheduled for this spring and allows users to store Xbox Live Arcade. Live Indie games, etc. On the down side, the USB device used will only allow one to use 16 GB once formatted for the Xbox. As they noted, Playstation 3 has always had USB capability! Attack of the Show also reviewed the Dell Adamo laptop, which at .4" is the world's thinest computer. (That IS thin!) With 4 gigs of RAM and a pricetag of $2000, they gave it a four out of five. And in the world of the iPad... Presales started last weekend and the device goes on sale April 3. Helen over at Straight From Hel had posted earlier this week that Barnes & Noble announced an app for the iPad that would allow users to read B&N eBooks on the unit. That also becomes available on April 3.

And yes, I have decided - I'm buying an iPad! Probably not the day it comes out, but sometime in April. Can't wait for version 2. What if they never put Flash on the device?

Need my tech stuff!

Movies, Tech, and Stuff

The Apple iPad is available for pre-order this Monday.

Now, the more I hear about it, the more tempting it becomes. However, there's still that pesky Flash issue. I've got to wait until they fix that!

My friend John wrote a song about this issue - about the 'blue Lego.' It's hilarious - go check out the lyrics at Sci-Fi Songs

Sony announced the Move, a motion-sensitive controller designed to compete with the Wii's controller. Available this fall for $100, it will work with games that involve guns, swords, bows and arrows, and more. It's supposed to work with current games as well as new releases designed specifically to use the device. We shall see...

The new poster for Tron: Legacy is out, courtesy of Slashfilm:
Hoping the movie is as cool as the posters and trailers!

Also saw that Charles B. Pierce died this past weekend at the age of 71. He did The Legend of Boggy Creek and The Town That Dreaded Sundown.

Still bummed about the Oscars. However, as you can see from the running total in my sidebar, James Cameron is laughing all the way to the bank...

And two people passed along awards to me this week.

Michele at Southern City Mysteries gave me the Writers Know Award for my completed manuscript.


Yay! Thanks a bunch, Michele!


And Helen at Straight From Hel thinks I am a Sugar Doll.

Don't think she knows me very well...

Thanks, Helen!

The iPad eReader Feature

The new iPad launched this week and it's been all over the news. It's 1.5 pounds, half an inch thick, and boasts a 9.7-inch display. The base model with 16GB is $499.

While some features are lacking (no camera or Flash capability) it does do everything that the iTouch does and more - video, music, games, Internet, a word processing program... and an eReader!

Apple has launched the iBook store and it is similar to iTunes. The iBook program uses the ePub format, which is the most popular in the world. Pages can be changed with the press of a button or by touching the screen and turning pages naturally. One can also adjust the font size. Of the big publishing houses, only Random House has yet to sign a deal, and they are currently in talks with Apple.

For those of us with an iPhone or iTouch, unless we just gotta have one, it presents nothing revolutionary. However, for anyone who is debating whether to buy a Kindle (the eBook store's prime competition), a Sony, or a Nook, this deal is a no-brainer. For only $200 more, you not only get a really awesome eReader - you get to watch movies, play games, listen to music, and surf the web. How cool is that?