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March 31, 2005
A serious 'My bad'
In all the craziness around me, I forgot to renew my domain name which resulted in bad things happening. Everything is back to normal once again. :)
Posted by PJ at 03:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 30, 2005
This week's weekly link of the week. (Week 12.9999)
Not that I'm superstitious or anything, but it never hurts to be safe...
I thought this was an absolutely great example of smart, smooth and simple flash design.
I really dig the interface Boxx3d Elements and the animation only adds to the coolness. I was hoping to see some of the work they've done, but it seems as though the site doesn't contain it. That's obviously somewhat of a disapointment, but the Flash UI makes up for it.
http://www.boxx3g.com/chapter2.htm
Posted by PJ at 02:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 27, 2005
More me-haters popping up on Google
So after making my declaration of Manifest Destiny to the #1 search rank for 'Onori', I've noticed that, instead of everyone falling in line and giving me what I deserve, it's all but the opposite.
Instead of ascending to my rightful place of #1, I've actually fallen a couple notches from #4 to #6. I've just about had my limit and I think I'm going to start to crackin' some heads until all these people know their place. I would like to get all my visitors' support if possible. By helping me, you can finally make something of your life and have it actually be worth something. Anything will help; Comments, Link-ups, large donations, etc. Just make sure to do something to help me because I can assure you that you don't have anything more important to do.
Posted by PJ at 11:27 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 25, 2005
I bought an iPod, so stop demeaning me
So I finally broke down. Peer pressure and the increasingly obvious fact that I was the last person in the greater Bay Area to refrain from drinking the musical Kool-Aid forced me into spending my somewhat-hard-earned money on a shiny new iPod. Now I didn’t decide to drink the Big-Gulp sized glass of Kool-Aid by getting one of those 40GB monsters that cost more than my own life to buy – no, I settled for the little iPod Shuffle which has more than satisfied my needs and still is in the iPod family which allows the same bragging rights.
I am now awaiting the moment when I will reap the rewards of buying my way into being trendy. I’m obviously now expecting to do things like make my first friend and have people talk to me the minute I whip out this little white gem of trendiness. Unfortunately, I’m going to now have to invest in some music or my iPod will be nothing more than an expensive pair of earplugs. I have to be honest, my trust of music pretty much died after Milli Vanilli and I’m having a hard time with the prospect of putting my heart back on the line again. What sucks about this whole process is that I’m going to have to at least pretend that I’m interested in music or something that sounds like it in order to become cool like all those stupid people that listen to their stupid music.
I’ll go through the motions. I’ll buy something that makes some semblance of noise to put in my iPod. But I better damned well be cool once I do that. I honestly don’t know what to do after this and other than my lack of manners, social skills and overall normal qualities, this is the only thing I can see that separates me from those considered ‘human’.
If you’d like to get to know me, drop me a line. I can produce my receipt if you want proof of purchase. Just please, don’t ignore me anymore now that I have an iPod.
Posted by PJ at 11:33 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 24, 2005
Google expansion, my Manifest Destiny
So I've decided that my blog deserves to be #1 on the Google rankings when searching for my last name, Onori. I've put a lot of thought into this, but I can only keep going back to the logical rationale that it's my Manifest Destiny to be top o' the list when someone types in 'Onori' which, consequentially happens about once or twice a Winter Solstice.
Now you may ask how I have come to this epiphany. Does it really matter? All that matters is that I'm numero uno and all those other fake Onoris are put in their rightful place (not #1). At this point I'm my site is fourth on the list which is totally unacceptable. If you care about your country (wherever you live) and more importantly, me, you'll make sure that my dismal fourth ranking doesn't stay like that much longer.
In fact, let's take a look at the other three sites so you can have a better understanding of the situation.
www.onori.com: For starters, he stole my name and that alone will make he/she/them/it burn in hell for the rest of eternity. In addition, the website is not in English and therefore has no place on the internet because we all know that the internet was invented by Al Gore and therefore is for the exclusive use of Americans only. All you Swedes visiting my site - don't say you weren't warned.
On top of it, this site is obviously a terrorist online department store of some kind because it's a known fact that the only kind of mechanical equipment non-Americans are interested in are the type that kill us or destroy our precious oil. It's a travesty that this site is above my shining Pillar of Justice that costs $14/month.
www.onorimusic.com: Once again, a blatant theft of my name - consider your ass sued. While this site seems to be on the up-and-up at first glance, you can see that they're guilty of using the word 'Hootenanny' on their navigation which has been a Federal offense since the early 1990's. That alone is going to get 'Mr. Onori' in an orange jumpsuit quicker than you can say the H-word.
In addition, this site makes the strange claim of selling 'music' belts. I don't understand how one can make music with belts other than using it to beat the living crap out of whoever made this fraudulent website in the most vital parts of the body. Music of the genre would be a tremendous collaboration of justice and art all wrapped up in a flat-bread pita of goodness. While I normally do not derive enjoyment seeing other people in unmeasurable amounts of pain, I quickly become giggly like a schoolgirl if they're receiving overly generous amounts of anguish due to getting in the way of my agenda.
www.richieonori.com: To add insult to injury, the same dude that gives you musical belts has his own music site as well. Consider both your asses sued! Interestingly enough, he's holding a guitar which I'm assuming he uses in attempt to fend off the masses that are crowded around him ready to pummel 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' out of his hide with the belts he sold to them. Believe me, he deserves it so just sit back and enjoy the classic jingle.
The site apparently even has recorded these beat-down sessions that you can listen to over the web. To be honest, this has got to be the coolest site in the history of the internet. I honestly can't boast having belt whipped music on my site so I think I may need to purchase the rights to some of these songs which will end all disputes. I then I would be honored to have this site be at the rightful #2 spot below me.
Thank you in advance for what I know will be your utmost support in my Crusade to bring justice back to the internet. There's only room for one Onori on the top of Google and I don't care if I have to start planting WMDs on them until I get my way. Everyone of the world, know this and know it well - Onori is mine and you can't have it!
Posted by PJ at 08:45 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 22, 2005
George Bush: Champion of Life (but only for Terry)
This country has lost it. Literally, the sanity is being drained from our social pschye on a daily basis and I am left shaking my head in disbelief. What I would normally classify as the humorous minority has out of nowhere become a strong a vocal percentage of our country who are beginning to scare the living crap out of me. People are comparing the Schiavo "execution" to the Nazi-run holocaust. Ironically, their fearless leader in Mr. Bush is the Furor himself:
Taken from the Washington Post:
Lots of conflicting interpretations today about the 1999 Texas law that Bush critics say shows how hypocritical he is being about the Schiavo case.Joel Havemann and Peter Wallsten write in the Los Angeles Times: "A Texas law signed by then-Gov. George W. Bush in 1999 allowing an end to life-sustaining treatment for certain patients became a point of contention Monday in the Terri Schiavo case, sharpening the focus on the president's eleventh-hour intervention in the question of the woman's fate."
Ken Herman writes for Cox News Service: "President Bush, now championing the right of Terri Schiavo's parents to decide whether her feeding tube should be reinserted, signed a Texas law in 1999 giving spouses top priority in making such decisions.
"By siding with Schiavo's parents, who have been in a prolonged battle with her husband about removing the feeding tube that has kept her alive for 15 years, Bush ran counter to the Texas measure. The state law says that in cases in which a patient has not signed a directive about life-prolonging care, the patient's spouse -- unless there is a court-appointed guardian -- makes the call. The patient's parents are third, behind 'reasonably available adult children' and ahead of the 'the patient's nearest living relative.' "
Anne E. Kornblut writes in the New York Times: "The Texas law allows a patient's surrogate, like Ms. Schiavo's husband, the right to make end-of-life decisions. But it ultimately gives hospitals the right to withdraw life support if there is no hope of revival, regardless of family wishes. Under the law, a critically ill 5-month-old was taken off life support and allowed to die last week in Texas, even though his mother objected."
I'm glad to see the President who 'agree, or disagree, we know where he stands' has been fighting to good fight for life. Hell, he made it ever easier to pull the plug for the most dispicable reasons - money. This 'champion of life' has once again looked about stupid as possible. However, some of this is either ignored, avoided or completely invisible to the Bush supporters who see him as some sort of super hero with a cowboy hat.
This is a political ploy. It's also strike two. Bush's Social Security plan isn't going to happen and the vast majority of American citizens are seeing right through this most recent debacle... What scares me is that I would expect more to see this. Frankly, these are backward times for our country and until both our government and our society begins to move back to a more moderate state, we are going to continue to see these 'cartoon headlines'.
Posted by PJ at 12:46 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 21, 2005
Show some love folks
I've gotten a couple comments here and there, but I really could use some more feedback on my Flash Media Player. Please give me any thoughts on what sort of features you would like for something like this and how you could see yourself using an XML driven video player on your blog or any other site for that matter.
Any and all feedback is GREATLY appreciated.
Posted by PJ at 09:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 20, 2005
Flash Video Player (A First Look)
OK, it's still very rudamentry, with a lot of features that still need to be added, but I still think it's worth a look. Head on over to SOMERANDOMDUDE and have a look-see.
I'm shooting for a 1.0 by the end of April. I'm not sure if I'll be releasing this at that point though because through all this work I sort of stumbled upon a really big idea that, if I ever get the perfect combination of time, energy and help, could be VERY cool. Please head on over the the link above and give me your thoughts/reactions at this point.
Posted by PJ at 11:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 18, 2005
With Teeth: Mark Your Calenders
May 3rd is the day. After over a 5 year hiatus, Nine Inch Nails is releasing a new album titled With Teeth. I must say my interest in the whole music scene peaked long ago and I feel the vast majority of what's out there is mindless druther directed towards those possessing the lowest end of the I.Q. spectrum, otherwise referred to as the majority. Much of what I hear all blurs together as record producers scramble to flood the market with the latest trend and desperately grab a piece of the pie until all interest is lost.
Whether you like him or hate him, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails has never been confused with those sorts of practices. There isn't much argument that he is one of the musical pioneers of our time and while many have attempted to fabricate his sound, no one has ever done so.
I'm not a Goth. I don't dress in all black. I'm far from depressed. That being said, I have the utmost respect for what Trent Reznor has accomplished as an artist and am I waiting with great anticipation for the release of With Teeth. Unfortunately, the style and following associated with Nine Inch Nails has produced a stigma that brings about a pre-judgment of his music and work. Is his music dark? Obviously. But to have that detract from the quality he brings to his trade is regrettable.
Lately, we as a society have seemed to fervently praise the status-quo; to which I am greatly disturbed. This decade's music especially has been about as far from avant garde as can be imagined. I'm hoping this album will be a nice little break from the ordinary andI will be purchasing it the day it comes out.
Posted by PJ at 01:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 14, 2005
Interesting video results
I was very interested in the comments I received about the video player. They ranged from very useful to completely useless. I hadn't even heard of a 'vlog' before and didn't even think of using it for such a purpose. What I'm planning will be for much more of a niche audience, but I think it'll be something that can be adopted across a wide range of purposes. And yes, I have begun to ramble.
My other blog SOMERANDOMDUDE will be devoted towards documenting and archiving the work I'll be doing on this. Work at CyArk has been very focused with extra hours galore which has cut into my time to work on trying to get a v1.0 of this bad boy. If you're interested in this project either to watch it grow or possibly help out, check out my other blog.
Posted by PJ at 12:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 11, 2005
A question for all you viewers
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to know if you use a lot of video on your website and if so, what formats you prefer. I'm currently working on a Flash-based media player and I'd like to know if there are any features you would be interested in having to deliver video to your website.
It would be a great help to hear from you, whether you actually desire to have video on your site or not.
Posted by PJ at 01:51 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
March 09, 2005
Petty Internet Searchers
For a reason unknown to myself, I decided it would be interesting to take a look at the top searches made over the internet. Since Google is the most used search engine, I thought I'd take a look at their stats. To my less-than-astonishment, Google had an area devoted to this sort of information called Google Zeitgeist. It soon drove home how petty of a society those who use the internet (and most likely everyone else around them) is.
Here are the top ten searches this month:
1. martha stewart
2. denise richards
3. janet jackson
4. my chemical romance
5. vin diesel
6. anna nicole smith
7. tyra banks
8. global flyer
9. 50 cent
10. spring break
While I'm not surprised, I'm shocked. Other than the Global Flyer story which has a semblance of intrigue, the rest is mindless druther that I consider not worth a second of my time.
Here's a top ten list of searches I bet will never be in the top ten list of searches:
1. sexual objectation of women
2. moderate methods of weight loss
3. Plato's Euthyphro
4. The Electoral College
5. cultural events
6. Helen Keller
7. volunteer opportunities
8. Bach
9. USA soccer
10. outdoor activities (wouldn't be on my top ten either I must say)
Yes we're petty. We've been petty as far back as I can remember and we will most likely continue to be petty unless the human race decides to stop acting like the human race all of the sudden. I guess the internet just allows us permanent recordation to how very petty we are for posterity's sake...
Posted by PJ at 11:50 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 08, 2005
Baseball's eventual dilemma... Barry Bonds
With the baseball season soon approaching, I find myself becoming ever more excited about the upcoming season. Behind that anxiousness is a sense of impending dread because I know that either this year or next, the game of baseball truly will never be the same.
More so than any other American sport, baseball is riddled with scandal and never-to-be-answered questions. Negro Leagues, the 1917 World Series, Pete Rose, 1994: the magical season that wasn't up to the current steroid issue, controversy has been the foundation of baseball for as far back as we know.
Like any true love, I came to see that as a endearing fault that actually increased my passion. This 'endearing fault' soon became a fatal flaw when the steroid scandal broke. My blind love soon died and a deep distrust of the game grew in its place. None of the players saw my sympathy and I still hope that those who have been tested positive are banned for life and see their name beside an asterisk for as long as they live.
This brings me to Barry Bonds. I honestly don't know whether he has used any performance enhancing drugs or not. In fact, I think there are only a handful of people, if not only one person on this planet who does. Regardless of whether he has or not, it will be baseball's biggest problem in the history of the game if he passes Hank Aaron as the home run champ. By all accounts, the home run record is the most important record in American sports, if not sports as a whole. The list of most career home runs shows a plethora of legends whom all fans of the game revere. We were fortunate enough to see the record break the color barrier and became a testament of both talent and courage to everyone looking back. That is why Barry Bonds cannot break this record. Because all those great things about this record and the game die when he hits 756. All that is left are questions and doubt.
I truly believe that baseball has survived its past scandals due to its harsh punishments towards the accused. While I think it was a travesty to ban Joe Jackson from baseball, it had to happen. While I think Pete Rose should be in the Hall, I hope he never does. While it's my dream that I'm able to see someone break The Record, I pray it's not anyone from this decade. This obviously has nothing to do with race. I will care less when he passes Ruth. Ruth's 'Ruthian' statistics are another great question in the history of baseball when you consider the park he played in for the vast majority of his career. No, number two means nothing to me and he can have it for all I'm concerned. However, number one will make the biggest mark in the game that of a question mark and your love affair and mine will never be a sweet as it once was.
Barry Bonds, retire before you break the record. Bud Selig, show a backbone and get your head out of the sand. Hank Aaron, say something for Christ's sake. I feel like I'm watching my loved one die in front of me while I frantically scream for help, only to see a crowd of bystanders too busy watching the tragedy unfold to help. Will anything be done about this or will we be left with one less thing we can hold dear about the game.
Posted by PJ at 09:26 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 07, 2005
P.J.: Reloaded
With another week in the books and a chance for a long amount of relaxation, I really feel like my tank is back up to full. That being said, I really feel I can get back into putting some serious time into my blog once again which is going to be very nice. I’ve been continuing to put some serious time into my book and I was surprised how much of it is nearing completion of the first phase. Because it’s more of a visual book than anything, I’m going to have to go back after its all written and really make sure I’m happy with how it’s designed and working. Still, things are moving nicely on it. I’ve noticed in the recent days that I have a renewed energy towards a lot of things in my life. Things are looking up.
I've made the decision to go back and catch up on all the things I skipped on this blog like my weekly links and any other interesting events that came up and were not written about. Ironcially, in about a week, this blog will most likely look like nothing ever changed and no hiatus was taken.
Posted by PJ at 09:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 03, 2005
Ever seen a blog atrophy?
Well, if you’re reading this blog and say you haven’t, you may need to re-check your statement. This blog has become a shell of its former self and I seem to only be able to sit idly and watch it wither away. With work at CyArk really taking off and a renewed commitment to other projects, my blog is still taking the abuse of neglect. My other blog has been even worse off and while I only saw that as being a weekly-entry blog, it has been far from that. If things get bad enough, I may need to cut one of them off, however I’m hoping this is just a phase and life goes back to normal relatively soon.
Posted by PJ at 11:25 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack