http://www.sanitysedge.org/ en-us Copyright 2008 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:23:01 -0500Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:24:30 -0500 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:36:14 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=4.2-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/a-rings-profile.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/a-rings-profile.htm The Engagement Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:23:01 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/capturing-the-shiny.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/capturing-the-shiny.htm The Engagement Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:18:15 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/camille-happily-under-the-tree.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/camille-happily-under-the-tree.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:40:53 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/the-tree-we-were-under.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/the-tree-we-were-under.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:40:47 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/by-the-lake.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/by-the-lake.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:40:38 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/a-good-picture-together.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/a-good-picture-together.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:18:57 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/trying-to-get-a-picture-togeth.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/trying-to-get-a-picture-togeth.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:12:18 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/happy-upon-receipt.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/happy-upon-receipt.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:07:25 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/opening-up-my-chicken-salad-sa.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/opening-up-my-chicken-salad-sa.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:45:40 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/our-zingermanns-spread.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/our-zingermanns-spread.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:45:31 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/wave-to-the-camera.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/wave-to-the-camera.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:45:23 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/sitting-down-to-lunch.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/sitting-down-to-lunch.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:45:11 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/the-ring-just-arrived.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/the-engagement/the-ring-just-arrived.htm The Engagement Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:49:00 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/reals-substantial-size.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/reals-substantial-size.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:39:34 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/no-it-is-a-typewriter-eraser.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/no-it-is-a-typewriter-eraser.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:33:08 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/post-modern-impressionist-art.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/post-modern-impressionist-art.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:32:59 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/the-space-needle-from-the-shor.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/the-space-needle-from-the-shor.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:32:00 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/resembling-a-giraffee.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/resembling-a-giraffee.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:30:41 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/some-very-shiny-quandrangles.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/some-very-shiny-quandrangles.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:28:55 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/a-very-large-cone.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/a-very-large-cone.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:19:34 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/experiences-peculiar-architect.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/experiences-peculiar-architect.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 15:03:06 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/mixing-and-matching.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/mixing-and-matching.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 14:30:53 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/tapping-along.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/tapping-along.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 14:18:26 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/owning-the-mxing-board.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/owning-the-mxing-board.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 14:07:35 -0500 ]]> http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/familiarizing-myself-with-the.htm http://photos.sanitysedge.org/seattle-in-may/familiarizing-myself-with-the.htm Seattle in May Mon, 26 May 2008 14:07:25 -0500 My work on the "Giving Stories" site for the University of Michigan was notable for translating a designer's vision in the shortest time possible. The XHTML+CSS aside, a considerable amount of the time went into using MooTools, for the first time, in creating animations and transitions from scratch, while also providing the opportunity for AJAX content for the client.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/works/helping_giving.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/works/helping_giving.htm Works Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:24:30 -0500 In these trying times, with the various markets going up and down faster than a yo-yo in zero gravity, I think of comforting issues. This impetus usually leads me in only one, predictable, direction: comics. Don't ask me why, but the proverbial black-and-white of comic books makes for a lovely change of pace. In this regard, video games come second, but a close second. Yet, in this advancing age of comics, one finds the harsh realities of the real world thrust into tranquil, in so far as one ignores the many buildings destroyed, realms of comic books. How did this come up? I have been following Grant Morrison's run on Batman R.I.P. (don't ask how disappointing it is) and as with any major event in D.C. (or for that matter Marvel) comics, it spills over into accompanying issues. In that vein Nightwing has been having his own battle, as he tries to save a prosecutor, charged to do this by none... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/the_economies_of_villany.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/the_economies_of_villany.htm Blog Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:14:27 -0500 Sometimes you have a loss, the profundity of which makes you feel vulnerable. That happened to me last night. It is actually through a large part of my stupidity that I not only had this loss occur, but also feel it so sharply. In case you are wondering, far be it from me to drag this thing out further, I lost my USB drive. At the moment a lot of you will scoff. "This is hardly noteworthy", you would say. I however have to disagree. The loss of a USB drive can have little pain, but the loss of a USB drive filled with work and documents is a loss most profound. The reason is simple, work, much like education, is an extension of the self. When a portion of this is taken away the loss is further punctuated. So how did I lose my USB drive? In the stupidest of ways... While walking home I was talking to Sean,... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/losing_a_part_of_you.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/losing_a_part_of_you.htm Blog Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:31:53 -0500 I will be honest with you, the work required in getting to the engagement, when you pop the proverbial question, is a lot of work! I suppose it prepares the groom for the work to come when planning and organizing the wedding itself. I suppose you could a really simple affair, but I am not one to put a dash of style in an affair, particularly an important one. So when did I decide to propose to Camille? To be honest for the past few years it has not been a question of "if", but rather "when". A lot of it I would have to chalk up to timing and, oh yeah, money. The latter has always been in flux and through my Master's years I have been consistently broke. That does not bode well for proposing to a girl (what girl wants a ring from a crackerjack box?!). Later, when I got a job, a lot of it came... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/arranging_to_be_engaged.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/arranging_to_be_engaged.htm Blog Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:52:04 -0500 I haven't posted here in a while, particularly what one might call a status update. For those of you who don't read the reviews, well you are of course missing out on some great (ahhh ego) writing, but also on a majority of the updates. On the other hand, I know of a few people who frequent the site for the personal updates and less for my own attempts at literate writing. So, I guess for those people, here is an update, not just about the weeks past, but most importantly, about the weeks ahead. The next few weeks are going to be intolerably busy and thank god I am getting some time off from work. For one, I find work these days to be utterly uninspiring. Mostly, I am learning that it is our job to succumb to the lowest common denominator. When coding for these folks, and trying to out-think their stupidity, their stupidity once again rebounds back... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/a_busy_few_months.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/a_busy_few_months.htm Blog Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:47:20 -0500 To say Pixar has done it again would be to dabble in redundancy, but this time one can say that Pixar has out done themselves. Wall-E is based upon its characters and the team at Pixar have done a splendid job lovingly creating these emotive creatures that rival our wildest fantasies of touching and feeling robots. Mindful of the adults that see their movies, they have imbued poignant themes of humanity's state and mindset in a burgeoning crisis.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/walle.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/walle.htm Movies Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:16:19 -0500 The Dark Knight is thankfully not a retread and though it is largely a continuation, it is not a movie that rests on its laurels. In introducing new characters and a deliciously devilish villain, played by Heath Ledger, he tackles the age old dance of good and evil, constantly contrasting between order and chaos. Building on his casting strengths from the first film, Christopher Nolan expands the rogues gallery and allows Bruce Wayne to transform in the face of his villains from a vigilante into the Batman.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/the_dark_knight.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/the_dark_knight.htm Movies Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:02:20 -0500 Oh yes, it has been four years in Ann Arbor and we have had three moves during that time. Pretty good odds for a college town, but then I envy the stability my colleagues have. Of course, a number of them live in houses, or outside the city, and definitely far from the job. A professor once told me that constantly moving gives one new experiences. I don't think she meant moving three blocks into a new apartment, but we take what we are given, huh? Alright, so a new apartment and again an upgrade. Much like the Jeffersons we are constantly "moving on up". At first it was a move away from living with another couple and to a one bedroom, now it is moving from a one bedroom to a two bedroom. So where are we moving to? For those of you familiar with the S. Division and the Broadway bridge, it is right around that region. It... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/with_new_digs_third_times_the.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/with_new_digs_third_times_the.htm Blog Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:23:21 -0500 Guillermo del Toro is at it again. In a sea of overly dramatic and too serious comic book fare, he has created a touching, geeky and fun movie that speaks to the roots of the original medium. He brings along all his strengths from full characters to some of the most innovative designs, all imbued with heart.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/hellboy_ii_the_golden_army.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/hellboy_ii_the_golden_army.htm Movies Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:01:16 -0500 My first project at my new job at LSA: Development, Marketing & Communications was the biggest project one could possibly receive at this University. It entailed a complete overhaul of the entire LSA site in both aesthetics, the front-end, and in migrating to a new version of our CMS, the back-end. The task was challenging and complex, necessitating the juggling of various priorities and end goals over a protracted eight month period. It launched at the end of July in 2008, replacing a five year old design and site.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/works/launching_lsa.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/works/launching_lsa.htm Works Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:41:32 -0500 The Incredible Hulk manages to get lost between the vision of its creator/studio and the ideas of its lead actor. In the end, the movie chooses to adopt the tone of pure action and there too it falters a bit. While, providing the Hulk with a suitable opponent, the CGI falters in providing a convincing world for the green giant.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/the_incredible_hulk.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/the_incredible_hulk.htm Movies Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:07:11 -0500 I was planning on putting up a post about our trip to Seattle. The thing is I really did not want this to be one of those turn by turn travelogues. The problem with those is that, particularly in my case, they go on for far too long. The longer the trip the longer the post and in my case, the much, much longer the post. Writing itself becomes a chore and consequently reading it can become a much bigger one. And no, inserting a ton of images throughout the post really does not help the reader much. It barely breaks up the monotony. So, in that vein, I am going to just throw up snippets from our travel. I will first put together any general thoughts about Seattle and then dive into memorable events, particularly people, food and sights. The order will still be chronological and I might even use a date stamp to help cement that. So to... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/memorable_seattle_food.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/memorable_seattle_food.htm Blog Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:07:13 -0500 Six straight years to the Eastern Conference Finals and only two trips to the NBA Finals. Only one of those two ever resulted in a won championship... Really it is a story that many say would be one of not trying too hard. However, one cannot really fault the Pistons for that. Look at the second round of the 2008 play-offs! After losing their All-Star Point Guard (PG), they came back, rookie in hand, to close off the series in five games. It says something about what this team can achieve if it rallies. Then again, one only has to look at Game 3 against the Celtics to see just how complacent the Pistons have gotten with their success. They fought hard, tooth and nail, to win in Boston's home, a sacred sanctuary where the latter had conceded no ground in the play-offs. However, with their moment of glory the Pistons do what they always do, they grow complacent in... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/a_pistonmortem.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/a_pistonmortem.htm Blog Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:21 -0500 The Indiana Jones movies have been a mixture of a lot of things, but mostly the right dose of fun and Ford's charm help seal the deal. Unfortunately, Indy, now the senior, seems to have found himself in a more crotchety state and, in trying to update Indy after nearly twenty years, the fun seemed to have been slowly sucked out.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/indiana_jones_and_the_kingdom.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/indiana_jones_and_the_kingdom.htm Movies Wed, 28 May 2008 11:58:01 -0500 Lately the movie making machine, particularly in the summer and usually with the large blockbusters, has been inserting short scenes at the end of films. These codas, as they are called, are sometimes nods to the hardcore audience (comic book geeks) and at other times are plot elements thrown at the very end. Either way, they require the audience to have fore-knowledge of the existence of the scenes so that one has to stay behind to partake of it. This usually translates to the fact that, unless informed prior to the viewing, most audience members miss the scene as they all file out after the credits. Ever since a few summers ago codas have become all the rage. Last summer, a time I like to term as the "summer of sequels", every single feature and blockbuster was stuck with a nice little coda at the end. The ending to the overblown and overproduced Pirates movie had a coda stuck in.... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/the_problem_with_codas.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/the_problem_with_codas.htm Blog Wed, 21 May 2008 09:42:57 -0500 http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/getting_called_out.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/getting_called_out.htm Blog Fri, 09 May 2008 16:49:17 -0500 Iron Man demonstrates the necessity of pitch-perfect casting in creating a good super-hero movie. Sure you need the smattering of good effects and a decent script. However, this movie is Robert Downey Jr.'s vehicle and he uses it to full effect in creating a devilishly charming Tony Stark and a winning franchise for Marvel.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/iron_man.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/iron_man.htm Movies Fri, 09 May 2008 10:24:05 -0500 The sequel to the surprisingly poignant Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is every bit worthy, both funny and still ever relevant. Its two leads pick up their characters with nary a sense of a three year gap and provide a romp through Americana that is both relatable and yet, through the eyes of these 20-somethings, completely and utterly alien.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/harold_and_kumar_escape_from_g.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/harold_and_kumar_escape_from_g.htm Movies Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:19:29 -0500 There can be only one reason to watch this movie that is an unnecessary addition to a tradition: Watching Jackie Chan and Jet Li fight each other under the direction of Yuen Wo Ping. Save for its action, in all other respects this is a movie that fails the utmost basics and feels like a vehicle for bringing together two martial arts superstars.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/forbidden_kingdom.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/forbidden_kingdom.htm Movies Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:53:20 -0500 A few days ago, on my regular tromps through my RSS feeds, I came across an intriguing article on TidBits. Joe Kissell, an introvert, had no end of trouble when it came to the ever expanding social web of the Internet. His particularly grief was with IM (Instant Messaging), a technology that was introduced close to a decade ago. His article in this case thus seems quite out-of-date. However, leaving that aside, he brings up a splendid point, in the increasing world of immediate inter-connectedness, what is an introvert to do. His argument does not revolve around being shy, instead it is a question of how a person, who by default chooses to focus on only one task, keep himself connected, yet out-of-contact, without incurring the wrath of his associates. A Stimuli Cacophony To be honest, I have had this problem on many more than one occasion. Usually I can stand a cacophony of stimuli. After all, I have been... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/an_introverts_conversation.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/an_introverts_conversation.htm Blog Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:49:12 -0500 I was going to start this post with a pseudo-update and then jump into a discussion of an act I saw last week. I decided to abandon that approach. Instead I say, no, this post is about the French Filter-House Funk Duo: Justice. Justice popped on to the scene last year and threw their doors wide-open with their since "D.A.N.C.E." and later "We Are Your Friends". Sure they gained only underground appeal, but in Europe they were smash hits. Their appearance on the Essential Mix was the crescendo of their success. Last year, Justice ran through a quick tour, hitting the main metropolitan cities in the U.S. Naturally, Detroit was not on this short list. However, collaborating with the Ruport Murdoch owned MySpace, they expanded their repertoire and reached outside the Midwest heart of Chicago. So, in that vein, Justice stopped at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on March 19th, 2007. The moment I found out that they were coming... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/waiting_on_justice.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/waiting_on_justice.htm Blog Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:49:01 -0500 Tony Gilroy, in his directorial debut, has created a movie that displays the power of words. His titular character, Michael Clayton, is a man who straddles, and in the end reconciles, corporate power and the realities of life. Surrounded by an excellent supporting cast, the movie presents a textured, dark and realistic world, with George Clooney the splendid head of its see-sawing conscience.

]]> http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/michael_clayton.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/reviews/movies/michael_clayton.htm Movies Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:13:28 -0500 For every candidate there is a defining moment. The higher the sought after position, the bigger that moment must be. It can be a moment of calm reserve in a bawdy scandal, a moment of bravery in a life-and-death situation or a well strung together set of words. For Barack Obama Obama, as conventional wisdom states, his moment came through at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. With a speech themed after a single word, "Unity", he was able to recharge and bring hope to those who heard him. However, I would like to argue that it was not this moment that defined Obama's candidacy, but rather his recent (March 18, 2008) speech in Philadelphia which elevated and prepared him for a national candidacy and provided a spring-board to Presidency. Obama's campaign chose the arena for this defining speech well. Philadelphia sits at the crest of the foundation of this Union and in many ways was the starting point for begetting... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/obamas_defining_moment.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/obamas_defining_moment.htm Blog Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:22:26 -0500 As of a few moments ago (on March 17th, 2007) JPMorgan Chase acquired Bear Stearns for around $2 a share. This is 1/10th of the price that the stock held last Friday. The impetus for this buyout? Why none other than the Federal Government jumping in to keep afloat the defunct mortgage company and consequently save from drowning the rest of the large banks. A 28-day line of credit was extended to Bear Stearns through JPMorgan Chase and the latter used that to incorporate the financial behemoth. With this move it seems almost like a free-for-all. Commit bad and maybe even downright dishonest business practices? No problem, the government will be there to subsidize your abuse of the taxpayer! A lot of you are probably thinking, "Wait a minute! The government has come on numerous occasions to save large industries from collapse!" And to that I say sure but never for one's deliberate follies and corruption. Before I begin this... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/the_death_of_bear_stearns.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/the_death_of_bear_stearns.htm Blog Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:03:23 -0500 One of the biggest bane's of my blog and my existence is the difficulty I have encountered when attempting to move my images (and the various meta-data surrounding it) to my photo-blog on Sanity's Edge. When it comes to commercial and free photo services (like Flickr) there are a multitude of available avenues to streamline the experience, as iPhoto is used as the one-stop-shop for editing and transporting content. However, when it comes to the blogging platforms little if no support exists. The blogs themselves are versatile in incorporating a variety of content, but woe be the user who tries to move it all by hand. A few years ago the issue was made much easier by a iPhoto exporting application named "Photon". The application did what it did great and with nary a complaint I used this wonderful application. However, with the advent of the Universal Binary and later Leopard, the application languished through a lack of updates and... http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/automating_a_photo_experience.htm http://www.sanitysedge.org/blog/automating_a_photo_experience.htm Blog Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:52:30 -0500