todd.tokubo.com

One of my favorite fiction authors passed away today.  I’ve read so many of his books and many times read them in less than a few days.  While the depth of his work seems to have faded a bit recently, his original works are some of the best non-futuristic sci-fi around.  The guy who really popularized CERN has now passed away.  Todd needs to look for a new sci-fi writer.

Total side note: I went back and read Huxley’s Brave New World again.  That was great sci-fi.

I’m usually not too overcome with the moment for things of “historic” nature, but this one is pretty special.  After hearing Obama speak 4 years ago, my reaction was he’ll never be President solely because of his name and the narrow-mindedness of the American people.  Happy to have been wrong.

Thoughts on tonight:

- If the McCain who gave the concession speech was the one running in the election, he may have won.

- I can’t believe people in the McCain’s audience boo when he mentions Obama.  If you want to know what’s wrong with America, that’s a pretty good example.

- I like the fact that Obama’s speech was a bit of a downer.

- Crickets chirping for the first time McCain was mentioned… again… people… it’s okay to cheer for other Americans even if you don’t agree with everything they say.

- Al Franken might be a US Senator, by the slimmest of margins… if you don’t think your vote counts, move to Minnesota, they need every vote there.

- Kay Hagan beat Libby Dole.  Karma, baby.  

- The founder of Sprint (cell phone company) is now a Virgina Senator.  Really makes me think about when to become civic minded.

I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that this year’s election really moved me.  I am interested in American politics again.  I do care.  I want to put a stop to negative campaigning.  I want to make a difference.

link

I agree with Chuck on four things:

So, both the 49ers and Raiders won this past weekend.

Notre Dame beat Michigan, which in and of itself is not huge.  However, one could argue (however weakly), Cal Poly is better than Michigan this year.

- Cal Poly beat SDSU 29-27 in a come from behind win @ San Diego

- Notre Dame beat SDSU 21-13 in a come from behind win @ South Bend

- Notre Dame beat Michigan @ the Big House 35-17.

Therefore, a simple math would say that Cal Poly is AT LEAST a 10 point favorite over UM.  :)

I keep thinking back to my junior high school years, when our teachers were trying to inspire us by letting us know that at some point, “you (collective) will be running the country.”  That day is here.  I’m at the tail end of Gen-X (Star Wars in the movie theater is my first real memory… scary).

I figure there is a ton a Gen-X people running the entertainment world as evidenced by decisions to make Transformers, G I Joe, Voltron, some movies that generally look like John Hughes flicks, revamping of Batman into the Dark Knight, rebooting Spider-Man as more of the McFarline-esque version.  Also, growing up with D&D, the popularity of Lord of the Rings was a big deal.

Even TV shows like Heroes and things that made Joss Wheden a name (Buffy and FireFly) are cornerstones for Gen-X geeks.

We have a Presidential Candidate and a Vice Presidential Candidate (for opposing parties) who are in the ballpark of being Gen-Xers (especially when compared with their counterparts).

That day that my teachers said would come is nearly upon us… Am I really getting that old? 

here…

So the economy is messed up, gas is expensive, people are generally unhappy…

So who’s fault is it?  Dubya is an easy target on many levels.  But let’s look at the facts:

• All time gas prices at a high, while most Americans drive SUV and minivans.
  • American car companies had good profits and revenues from these large vehicles (which were most costly to import: edge US companies)
  • Why were so many Americans buying expensive SUVs and minivans?
    • Because we need to have car seats for our kids until they are 7 years or 70 pounds
• Everything else being messed up and generally unhappy:
  • GWB is elected due to the incredibly tight race in Florida
  • What would have made the difference?
    • Votes for a big name 3rd party candidate
    • Maybe someone who got big by advocating automotive safety

That’s right… this is all Ralph Nader’s fault.

While there’s been a lot that right about Nader:

• ex. We now have proof that GWB is indeed “a giant corporation”
• However, I think Al Gore has figured out who he is.

In general, I think that the 1960s Ralph Nader was a pretty good guy.  He wanted to genuinely make a change based on criticisms that he had.  However, the Nader in 2002, looked like a guy who was just badmouthing people.  Is it a sign of the times?

Wordpress released their iPhone program. Pretty cool so far. iPhone 3G has been working nicely in Japan. Maps even finds you if you have a data connection.

Mostly, this is a test entry.

Just click here.

The comparison of the imagery to the graphic novel is here.

Since I graduated college in 1997, there have been a few things that have been truly revolutionary:

• MP3s and the portable MP3 player
• Palm Pilots
• Affordable Cell Phones
• Cheap Computing Platforms
• Ubiquitous Internet Access in many areas
• On-line shopping

Do you know that all have in common?  Apple has done all of these better on the iPhone.  I’m not talking about the iPhone 3G… I’m talking on the iPhone.  After an extended 1-year beta that I paid $499 to join, Apple has taken their “better Palm” and created a completely integrated platform that Windows always hoped it would be.

The way you install Windows hasn’t changed in about 15 years… As a techie you get used to it… you should marvel at the simplicity of the iPhone.  Apple went after developers.  Gave them a secure way to hock their products.  Created a vertical installation and delivery system.

Beautiful.

Downloadable content on the Xbox and PS3s are very similar.  How soon before the desktops follow?  Vertical application stores provided by Dell, HP, etc?

We have more than enough computing power… Apple decided we simply needed to make it simpler to use.