New trailer

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/index.html

This looks like a really good movie, not just a Star Trek movie.

Happy Halloween

Thanks to JPM (and his mom) for a new twist on an old favorite.

I Saw You Coming

Thanks for the link, Firas.

New Girl Talk

The new Girl Talk release is available as a name-your-price download and guaranteed to make your work day more fun.

Update: the Wikipedia entry annotates the samples used on each track.

Thanks, ldfu.

Universal wireless repeater

Until March my home Internet setup was like many people's: a Linksys WRT54G wireless access point router connected to a Comcast cable modem. I live in a multi-unit condominum building where lots of other people take a similar approach, and it's common to find yourself connected to someone else's wireless network by accident. Comcast's Internet service runs $47/month for cable television subscribers, and in September I realized I wasn't using it enough to justify the monthly cost. When I called to cancel, the customer service representative offered me the same service for $19/month for six months, so I decided to stick with it.

Six months later the special rate was about to expire and I decided to do things differently. I installed third party firmware to extend my router's capabilities and configured it to run as a universal wireless repeater. Basically the router scans for wireless access points in range, connects to the strongest signal possible (unsecure by default, goes for ones with passwords if you specify the password), and then rebroadcasts that signal in my living room. I've configured the router to connect to the password-protected access point in the building's lobby (that I pay for through my monthly dues), but usually it connects to one of my neighbors' networks. Maybe my neighbor is a nice guy who purposely shares his Internet acccess.

I came across the idea while searching for a solution to weak wifi signal problems at my parent's house. A universal wireless repeater would be an economical way to extend the range of the wifi network at their house. At my place it's a good way to be a pirate.

Tha Carter III

The last two CDs I've purchased have been much anticipated rap releases on their opening day: Graduation in September and now C3. All the hype and buildup surrounding a record release is kind of fun. I've enjoyed going into FYE on West End after 5pm and finding one of the few remaining copies. The process is more gratifying than downloading that catchy Coldplay song after watching the iTunes commercial for the third time (sorry, Dan, I think it's really catchy) and then feeling slightly disappointed because it's good, but not that good.

When I first saw the album cover for Tha Carter III, I thought it was awesome (compare headshots). I'm not a huge Weezy fan, but I loved listening to "Shine" in high school and have enjoyed "Fireman" since watching the video a couple years ago. I also remember watching the Cribs episode where Wayne shows the camera crew around his run-of-the-mill suburban house that really doesn't have any furniture in it before waxing on and on about a Barron Davis bobblehead...it's absurd. Lil Wayne is absurd, and I think that's why I like him.

The first time I listened to C3 was on a CD player in my cubicle and I thought it sounded pretty good. The second time was on my iPod while walking to work and I thought it wasn't nearly as good. The third time, however, was in my car, and I ended up sitting in a parking lot for a while enjoying it and then looking forward to my drive home from the movie theater (Iron Man was great, by the way). The medium affects the message, and there's always been something about listening to an album or a track in car and it sounding different, usually better. I recall some disappointment listening to Graduation in my car for the first time.

Anyway, I like C3. To start, it doesn't have skits between tracks like so many rap albums. The first seven tracks are great if you can get over the penis-based/sex-based braggadocio that any rapper brings to the table. Yes, Lil Wayne is self-absorbed just like any rapper, but the way he delivers himself is entertaining. "3 Peat" and "Mr. Carter" start the album off on the right foot, and "A Milli" and "Got Money" do the same-old-same-old-money-money-money thing that you hear in so much of rap but it actually sounds pretty good. "Comfortable," is the fifth track and features Babyface. I bet it'll be the second single (I don't like "Lollipop"...it's generic) and be played at 8th grade dances for the next decade. "Phone Home" is weird and alien and awesome. "Dr. Carter" is surprisingly clever. Then you get the eighth track and you think, "What? Robin Thicke is guest performing?" It's okay. Another song popular with eighth graders, I suppose. "Mrs. Officer" is entertaining, and "Let the Beat Build" is REALLY cool. "La La" isn't very good, but the remaining tracks are solid. I would suggest you purchase the disc.

Those who stay will be champions

Hanging up at the back of the Catholic church I attended as a kid was a sign that read, "Judas left Mass early. Don't be a Judas." The sign was aggressive. My family never left Mass early.

Apparently Justin Boren's church didn't have that sign.