Year: 2010

Day in brief

2 ** 5 = 32

It’s my birthday once again.  And a very special number this time – 32, which is 2 to the power of 5.  Powers of 2 are very special numbers for all the computer people.  Hopefully I’ll make it to the 2 to the power of 6 and that these powers will be more important to me when I was at 2 to the power of 4.  Other than that, everything is as always.  Getting older, but not growing up.  I am ditching the idea of becoming an adult, since it is unachievable or way too hard.  And I am not sure it’s worth it.

Now, for all those people who complained that I don’t have a wishlist handy, and who think that that is a valid excuse to NOT get me a present, I have something to say.  I will gladly accept:

  • any driving, action, adventure, or first-person shooting games for PlayStation 3 (I already have all Call of Duty and Modern Warfare titles, both Assassin Creed games, Fallout 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV, just in case)
  • DVDs and Blu-rays of awesome movies and TV series (region 2 preferred)
  • books on web, programming, technology, team and project management, photography, driving, and pretty much anything else
  • geeky clothing (sized at least XXL)
  • food, beer, hugs, kisses, handshakes, best wishes, emails, tweets, money (in no particular order)
  • anything else

That’s the best I can do in the wishlist department right now, but I guess you got the idea. ;)

Day in brief

  • It's been a few years since I had a look at Picasa. Nice piece of software. Cool functionality at amazing speed. Too bad I am a Flickr fan. #
  • Shotwell photo manager will replace both Gthumb and F-Spot in Fedora 13 (coming out in a month or so). It will be interesting to see. #
  • ♺ @LoveCyprus: Finally,Google have named some streets of #Cyprus on Google maps!
    (Thank you #Google for offering us this important service). #
  • I have 3 conversations in my Gmail Inbox. I am one happy Inbox Zero guy. :) #
  • http://icio.us/0txdfl #

How to train your dragon

The other day we had a happy family – daddy, mommy, and the kid – trip to the movies, because there was no way I would allow us to skip “How to train your dragon” – a much awaited animation from Dreamworks.

There are options to see it both in full 3D and regular, in Greek (dubbed) and in English (with subtitles).  Language decision was the easiest (English of course), but the 3D option got me thinking for a second.  On one hand it is a much richer experience.  On the other – we were with a kid who is too hyperactive to sit through the whole thing without moving much.  Finally I decided to go for the 2D version, because wearing glasses is an extra obstacle.

Now, back to the animation.  It was widely promoted all over the place, with ads and several trailers.  I knew that I wanted to see it for a while, and after seeing more trailers I knew that I won’t be disappointed.  Just the stuff they showed in the promos was enough to enjoy.  But the full length feature is so much more.  It’s unbelievably good.  It’s awesome.  It’s fantastic.  It’s an absolute must see!

It excellent on just so many levels – the story, the characters, the way it is drawn, the action sequences, the flying, the humor … pretty much everything is perfect.  While I am used to being pleasantly surprised by the animation, the story got me this time more than anything.  While it was childish and cartoon-worthy, there was a certain depth to it, at times it was even philosophical, going around issues which you don’t usually see in kid’s movies.  And yet it was light and fun and inspiring.

Overall, a highly recommended for both kids and adults.  Probably even better in 3D.  I’ll give it a well deserved 5 out of 5.

Day in brief

  • First frappe of the year. Summer is here once again. #
  • On Saturday, being drunk, in a total darkness, climbing down the hill, I found a shortcut. My body still aches, but I will survive. Again. #
  • I favorited a YouTube video — Travis Pastrana Backflip Big Wheel! (all 3 attempts) http://youtu.be/V3zjG9xRg5E?a #
  • I favorited a YouTube video — Top 10 Biggest and Best Jumps Ever http://youtu.be/qqhlfz9GQPE?a #