Blog Master G

I’m in the market for a new MiniDV digital camcorder and am looking for recommendations. From my original list I’ve narrowed it down to three models: the Canon ZR60, ZR65, or the Sony DCRTRV19 MiniDV.

Any experience with any of these models? Recommendations? I’ve read the review on CNET about the ZR65 not being good in low light and producing constant background noise. Given that, I’m leaning toward the Sony.

My main motivation for buying a camcorder is to have a friend film my wedding this summer.

First, the good news: Jen is home safely from New York! Woohoo! The dogs and I picked her up from Oakland Airport last night after 11pm. It’s great to have her back home. I missed her.

Next, the bad news: My lower back has been having spasms since last night. They started shortly after I finished cleaning the whole house — sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dishes, etc. I think maybe I put a bit too much strain on it. I did my foam roller exercises last night hoping that would ease the tension. I’m sure it helped, but here I am at work and the spasms continue. I’ll have to use the roller again tonight.

In the meantime, I’m just glad I have an Aeron chair with lumbar support here at work.

Please help the Democratic party in stopping the Senate from allowing right-wing extremists to be appointed to the Supreme Court:

Sign the Petition for American Values

There’s a quick form letter that makes the process really easy:

Dear Democratic Leaders:

The United States Supreme Court is the backbone that upholds American values.

These cherished American values are at risk if one or more Supreme Court Justices retire this summer. Civil rights, a woman’s right to choose, environmental protections, public education, workers’ rights, and much more are threatened by a right-wing court.

President Bush has already built a record of nominating extremist, ultra-conservative judges to the federal bench.

I stand with and support Democratic leaders in the fight to oppose ultra-conservative nominees to the nation’s highest court.

Please take this important action to protect our rights — and those of future generations. Keep extremists like Priscilla Owen, a woman who has voted against women’s rights, out of the Supreme Court.

This is hilarious: Dan Savage solicits reader input on defining the Santorum as an explicit sex act.

This one is probably my favorite:

“Here’s my proposed use of the pigheaded chump Rick Santorum’s family name: To simplify my life as a med student in taking patients’ sexual histories, “Santorum” could stand for discharge. Instead of having to ask people, “Any burning sensation during urination? Any penile/vaginal discharge or foul smell?,” it would simply be “Any burning sensation during urination? Any Santorum?” That’s much tidier. Plus, “Santorum” sounds vaguely medical.”

Which definition is your favorite? Or do you have your own definition? I just might have to update my previous definition of Rick Santorum.

(Thanks to Dave for the link.)

After reading this article in the San Jose Mercury News, I set out to see how quickly I could find my first Googlewhack — to search for two words (no quotes) in Google that produce one and only one result.

It took me about 16 minutes to uncover my first Googlewhack: homophonic scumbag, which I’m going to define (thanks, in part, to MW) as “a dirty or despicable person who just can’t get enough of homophones.”

Word.

After seeing Bruce Almighty this weekend, which was number one at the box office, people across the country are trying to call God. Apparently, there is a scene in the movie in which God pages Jim Carey and the number “776-2323” is displayed on his pager. Universal says the number was chosen since it doesn’t exist in Buffalo, NY, where the movie was set.

Yet unlike the standard 555 prefix used in just about every other movie in existence, this 776 number does exist in cities across America. In Sanford, N.C. the number belongs to Turner’s Chapel Church, where the pastor is actually named Bruce. In Longmont, CO the number belongs to the Radio Colorado Network (area code 303).

Who’s God in your city? Give Him a call. Or do a Google search for the area code plus 776-2323, like this.

Reloading to fight the Bush Matrix is a great piece comparing the Bush regime to the images and ideas conveyed in the Matrix Reloaded. Here’s a snippet:

The Matrix Media Mind Manipulator, from Limbaugh to Clear Channel To Fox, now wants us to believe that even though GOPutrid Agent/Senator Rick Santorum says homosexuality is the moral equivalent of bestiality, the newly “with-it” GOP will no longer refer to gays as “sodomites.” What a breakthrough! A major hip-hop forward for media imaging and millennial mind control.

Every network, every cable channel, every newspaper streams the contaminated code of Bushwellian patriotism, conformity and non-thought. Homeland Security? The Bush Matrix wants to arrest all those Ravers at the Zion sex dance early in the film. Its draft-dodging Top Gun has the clonable face and poisonous smirk of every agent the Matrix sends to kill off dissenters.

Hmm… coincidence? Or are are the Wachowski Brothers bigger geniuses than anyone realizes?

There is even a scene in Reloaded that shows a televised image of W. on a television screen in the background. The Architect, just as the image appears in the background, makes an allusion to evil in the world. (Anyone remember the exact quote at that moment?)

I love it: Jammin’ squirrels. I want this band to play for my next party. Or I want to be the group’s manager. Squirrels rule.

(Thanks, Shrey, for the link.)

Early this morning before waking up — probably around 6 or 6:30 — I was dreaming that I was at Nana‘s house. What exactly I was doing there I’m not sure. I don’t believe she was actually in the dream, but I was definitely at her house. Outside my dream, Stella was sleeping on the bed, toward Jen’s side, since Jen is still in New York. Jen and I each have a touch lamp on either side of our bed.

Still in a sleepy haze, I rolled over toward Jen’s side of the bed to find her touch lamp turned on — in the middle of three settings. This means it had to have been touched twice to end up in this state. I know I didn’t have it on last night before going to bed.

I also know I didn’t inadvertently turn on the light in my sleep — I was clear across the other side of the bed and facing the other way. Remember, too, that I would’ve had to bump the metal base or shade of the lamp not once but twice. And unless Stella has taken up early-morning reading, I doubt there’s any way she could have done it.

Call me crazy or call me a believer, but I think, just maybe, that the light’s being on this morning was a small reminder from Nana that she’s still with me in spirit — in a very real way.

This is not the first time that something like this has happened. Shortly after Nana passed away and we were all staying in her house, we would wake up in the morning to find the heater cranked really high — and no one in the house had turned it up. Nana knew that my Mom often got cold at night.

These types of happenings always bring a smile to my face.

Sixty-six years ago today — May 27, 1937 — the Golden Gate Bridge opened to foot traffic. One year and one day later — May 28, 1938 — the bridge opened to vehicular traffic. Back in 1987, when the bridge celebrated its 50th anniversary, my Dad was on hand to cover it (he was then a columnist for the Marin IJ).

To this day, people come from around the world to awe at this engineering masterpiece stretching beautifully and majestically across the Bay. I’m fortunate enough to drive across the breathtaking national landmark twice per day as part of my daily commute.

Happy Birthday, Golden Gate Bridge.

Photo from American Hurrah