Head in the Clouds, Feet on the Ground

mtn_hermit @ 2009-04-09T13:20:00

2009-04-09T17:22:13Z

*sigh*
It is difficult to conduct a web based conference / training session when your client's IT department locks down their systems so tightly they can't install the software.

mtn_hermit @ 2008-12-02T10:28:00

2008-12-02T15:35:32Z

The last line of this article made me chuckle. Thank you, British journalism, for retaining your ability to be snarky.

A Little Fan Service Goes a Long Way

2008-11-26T15:10:04Z

So Paramount has added a little fan service to the end of the latest JJ Abrams Star Trek trailer.

Definitely warmed my geeky heart.

Link ganked from Ain't It Cool News.

Where I'll Be

2008-11-07T20:44:42Z

I'm attending a certification class all next week in Sunnyvale, CA. I'm looking forward to it, as it'll be my first time in the Bay area. Also the first time I'll have been in CA since I was 7ish.

I think I may die from the squee!

2008-07-26T19:19:39Z

Bootleg Tron 2 (Tr2n) trailer! See it now before it gets yanked!

http://www.filmstalker.co.uk/archives/2008/07/tr2n_tron_2_trailer_online.html

Alphabet Soup: KotOR MMORPG

2008-07-19T17:23:41Z

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194664.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1

Truly, a Bioware MMORPG based on their Knights of the Old Republic setting is something to anticipate.

I know I do.

Link ganked from Slashdot.

Firefox 3 & Color Profiles

2008-06-22T20:41:47Z

I'd always been annoyed by how Firefox rendered my photographs that I uploaded to Flickr. They never looked like they did coming out of Photoshop.

Turns out that's because Firefox 2 didn't support color profiles. Firefox 3 does, but it's disabled by default because there's apparently a 10-15% performance hit in rendering images when it's on.

That said, I think the hit is worth it to see photographs as they're supposed to be. To turn it on see this link.

Link ganked from Lifehacker.

You know when it's fresh...

2008-06-02T17:02:18Z

...now find a place to buy it:

http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/

A Good Day

2008-06-01T02:00:03Z

Today...

Today was a good day.

As may potentially be obvious from my username, any day that includes time spent on top of a mountain is, by definition, a good day.

Today had that.

Adding to the goodness that was today:

Time spent on the banks of a river.
Time spent watching birds wheel in the air, close above me.
Time spent browsing books.
(No pictures of that, sorry. Also, I escaped without spending any money though it was a close shave.)

Now, if only I didn't have to work tomorrow I'd do it all over again!

Getting Fresh

2008-05-28T19:03:15Z

Want to know what's growing fresh in your area? Check this out.

Link ganked from Lifehacker.

Book Meme

2008-04-30T21:50:48Z

I don't normally do memes... and I'm not going to do one now. However, I will make a comment or two about where I stand on that list of books that's going around LJ-land right now:

I've only read six of the books on that list.
None of them were read for school.
I don't currently own any of them.
There was one book on that list that I picked up but didn't finish. Too dense, perhaps another time.
The statement preceding the list that "As in, they sit on the shelf to make you look smart or well-rounded" makes them sound rather... unimportant. Regardless of whether they are or aren't, mind you. That's just not a statement that is calculated to generate much interest.

Absolutely Brilliant

2008-02-27T05:23:02Z

Can't. Stop. Laughing.

http://garfieldminusgarfield.tumblr.com/

You know you're a Lovecraft fan when...

2008-02-20T00:27:50Z

...you read the headline Mysterious Creatures Found in Antarctica and your first thought is: "Elder Things?"

And Then There Was One

2008-01-31T02:39:46Z

Just got the call from my mother: my grandmother, Nana, passed away tonight. I only have one grandparent left now, my other grandmother, Mimi.

I'm fortunate that all of them lived well into my adulthood and I'm glad that I got to see Nana one last time in 2005, when thewonderboy and I went up to see my mom. I'm especially glad the he got to meet three of my grandparents before they passed. I don't think very many of us get to meet our great-grandparents at a time when we're old enough to gather memories of them. I can only remember one of mine, and very dimly at that.

Time passes and the inevitable consequence is that we who remain become the bearers of the torch from those who go before us. May we strive to be worthy to inherit their successes and strong enough to overcome their failings.

Goodbye Nana. I'll miss you.

A Good Photography Day

2008-01-20T00:42:22Z

Cardinals Don't Care
Originally uploaded by Mountain Hermit.

Got out during the snow today and got some good shots at the Big Trees Forest Preserve in Sandy Springs.

I love getting out to take pictures; it always makes me happy and reduces my stress level. Today was especially good in that regard: it's been a long, long time since I've walked in the woods with snow falling around me and blanketing the ground under my feet. The distinctive crunch of snow under boot brought back a flood of fond memories of winters in New Brunswick.

I walked the outer circuit of the trails at Big Trees and at the point furthest from the entrance (and thus Roswell Road) it was just barely quiet enough to hear it if you were still: the soft sound of snowfall. That, too, brought back many memories and I stood silent and enjoyed them for a good long while.

Desktop

2007-12-29T18:20:50Z

Anyone have an old (like, say, up to five years old or less) desktop computer you're not using that you'd like to give away? I have some stuff I'd like to do for which I need a desktop box.

Happy Yule

2007-12-23T04:27:37Z

Followup to previous post / Geekgasm

2007-12-18T17:42:19Z

*blink*

We're not getting one movie... We're getting two.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35108

I'm interested to see which Tolkien material they're going to use as the "bridge" movie between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Tolkien had... copious notes, so there's no lack. My own recollection of that period in the timeline doesn't indicate that there was much conflict; though it could be about parts later on. Gollum leaves the mountains in search of Bilbo and, later, Aragorn & Gandalf hunt for him. Also, Sauron re-occupies Mordor and begins pushing Gondor out of Ithilien and Osgiliath. It could be interesting if they focus on the gradual buildup to the realization that it's not just a new massing of orcs, but a buildup of forces by Sauron himself, culminating in his openly revealing himself once more.

I seem to be on about movies lately...

2007-12-18T16:38:46Z

This made me burst out with a "Woohoo!"; which caused some odd looks from co-workers. However, I think it's deserving of shouts of joy.

Peter Jackson and New Line have worked out their differences and he will, indeed, direct The Hobbit.

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20071218/D8TJV2FG2.html

Dark Knight Trailer is Up

2007-12-17T15:37:30Z

For those who didn't go see I Am Legend this past weekend (which was the trailer's "premier"):

http://atasteforthetheatrical.com/deathtrap/default.htm

Dark Knight Teaser Poster

2007-12-14T16:07:09Z

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35066

I like it. Definitely a movie I'm looking forward to.

Camera Droolage

2007-11-30T20:51:13Z

This writeup and set of example shots of the new Nikon D300...

Let's just say that it inspires serious camera lust. mtn_hermit wants, oh yes. Wants bad.

Geekgasm

2007-10-12T15:14:50Z

If you're unaware, there's a new Star Trek movie in the works, directed by J.J. Abrams.

It's gearing up for production and they're still in the casting phase. It'll be set in the timeline of the original series, with new folks cast as the iconic crew.

According to this article Simon Pegg, of Shaun of the Dead & Hot Fuzz fame, will be Scotty.

*geekgasm*

Hey jescot

2007-10-08T02:20:07Z

Got a couple of good shots of your boy:

Plasteel

2007-10-06T02:58:59Z

A common trope in science / speculative fiction is Plasteel: a plastic that is as strong as steel while retaining the light weight of plastic. You can encounter it in books, movies & role-playing games. The name is often used unchanged between different sources & authors.

Welcome to the future.

--Link ganked from Slashdot.