Fun with sheep

Ant under an electron microscope

This may be the coolest thing I've ever seen.

Be sure to click the link above and zoom in and take a look at the detail of the skeleton. Awesome.

Firefox logo gets a refresh

Firefox 3.5 was just released, and with the update came an updated logo.

You can read in detail about the logo refresh process here, but taking a look at the before and after versions (via Brand New) I can't say that I'm all that impressed.

Sure, the fox now has more texture on his fur (when viewed at a large size, anyway), but viewed at the size above, it actually appears that the fox is less defined. The tail has gotten more complex with the addition of additional fur tufts, but the effect is that it actually appears to flatten out the tail, which is the exact opposite of the redesign's intent. What I do like about the tail, and which I wish Mozilla had developed further, are the jagged shapes that are created on the right side of the tail. The create some very interesting energy in the logo and add to the "firey" feel of the tail. Bu it appears to be a mistake - a happy accident - as you can still see the globe behind the tail. Those jagged points could have made for some very interesting shapes and a lot of motion on the right side of the logo.

The globe is puzzling to me. It's glossier now than it was in the previous version, but I really liked the contrast in the before image - both against the fox and in the water and land areas. I think it did need a little more shine to give it some 3D depth. but it looks like a color image that's been copied on a cheap color copier. It feels washed out.

And one of the more puzzling things about the new logo is that despite the fact that they tried to give it more gloss, they still have just a simple drop shadow under the fox, as if it were hovering over an opaque disc. It seems to me that it would have been much more effective to add a dark blue shadow that looked somewhat like the reflection of the underside of the fox - dark and with no detail.

I've done a really quick mockup of what I mean.

Overall, I think the new logo is a step backward. Going more detailed on your logo is very rarely the answer. Simplification is. I think Mozilla made a mistake.

Al Franken Elected to the Senate

The Minnesota Supreme Court yesterday decided in favor of Al Franken as the winner of last November's contested election.

What strikes me about this story is:
1. How freaking long it took to decide this race. It's been 8 months!!!
2. How slimy the entire story is. Votes appearing out of nowhere with every recount. Always in favor of Franken? Come one.
3. How stupid the people of Minnesota are. This is the effing United States SENATE, people, not the Cheesetown City Council. This isn't a joke! (not that Franken would know anything about jokes - he's never, ever been actually funny - only a buffoon.)

Damn it.

The Texas Cockroach

I might have a new favorite site: The Texas Cockroach.

It's like the Onion, with a Texas flavor. Brilliant!

The Crappiest McDonalds in the World

On Thursday on our way to Kristi's family reunion we stopped at the McDonald's in Madisonville, Tx to eat dinner. Kayci had gotten to pick.

When we got there, we noticed a huge TV, which was showing a news channel and proclaiming "Michael Jackson Rushed to Hospital."

We ordered our food - pretty straightforward stuff. The girl on the register was frowning and moping (not mopping) around, almost as if she was trying to be like a caricature of the stereotypical fast food worker. It took her almost five minutes to figure out how to ring up a package of apple dippers.

Once we got our food, I went over to get some ketchup from the ketchup pumpy-thing and was disgusted by the nasty gooey mess oozing out of the spout. There were flies and gnats flying around it and resting on the pump as if it were a shiny metal fly perch. So I went up to the counter and asked for some ketchup packets. A heavy-set girl behind the counter told me she couldn't give me any because I was eating here.

"What????" I said incredulously.

"My manager won't let me give out ketchup packets except to people ordering to-go."

"Well, let me talk to the manager, then," I said.

"I'm the manager on duty," she said. "The store manager told me I had to cut down on my orders." I'm sure I rolled my eyes at this point.

Then I got in her face. "You're the manager on duty. You have the authority to make this decision. I'm not using that ketchup. There are flies all over it!!! It's nasty!!!" I suddenly felt like Gordon Ramsey.

By this time Michael Jackson was in a coma.

"Okay, I'll do it this once" she fat robot sheep manager said. I think I said something like "damn right you will" as I grabbed some ketchup out of her hand and walked over to the table where my family was sitting.

I sat down and ate my quarter pounder with cheese and fries with ketchup. I couldn't help, based on my experience so far, but check my burger for maggots. There weren't any, thank God.

By this time Michael Jackson was dead.

So we finished our dinner and got the hell out as fast as we could. It's been a long time since I've had a restaurant experience that bad. I can somewhat understand the staffing issues. After all, minimum wage doesn't buy much these days, obviously. But the conditions were just plain disgusting.

So I'm boycotting the McDonalds in Madisonville, and I hope you all will, too. I'm not eating there anymore. Every time I do, Michael Jackson dies.

State-shaped meat

Last weekend we grilled chicken for Kayci's grandparent party. I did a double take when I saw one of the pieces of chicken.

It was in the shape of Texas! It's no virgin Mary or face of Elvis or anything, but still cool.

I'd open bidding, but I ate it. Turns out Texas tastes good!!!!

Funny Grandma story

I was showing my grandma my iPhone last night and told her to go ahead and play around with it - that she couldn't hurt it.

So I pulled up the "c"s in my directory to show her her contact card. But when she tried to touch it, she accidentally hit another contact. Before I knew it, she had tapped another key. I'm sure I gasped when I realized what I thought she had done. I thought she had called the guy who is Clutch, the Rockets mascot.

Luckily, all she did was try to send him an email.

Whew!

1000fps camera I-Movix Sprintcam

Incredible. I laughed out loud at the skoosh ball.

I-Movix SprintCam v3 NAB 2009 showreel from David Coiffier on Vimeo.

New iPhone 3G S

I had the opportunity this morning to test out the iPhone 3G S. Fellow Dude Mark got one, and I must say that it's really, really impressive. It's really quick and the new camera (and video) is worth the price of admission. It's got a faster processor and more RAM, which you can really feel when you're using it. The compass is really much cooler than I imagined it would be.

I played with the tap to focus feature and found it very well implemented. And shooting video was great. I did have a little trouble with it because I rotated the phone partway through, which caused the playback to always be in the wrong orientation. But editing was cool and fairly easy.

If you're on the fence, trust me. It's worth it.

I want one.

Happy Birthday, Kayci (A letter from Daddy)

Happy Birthday, big girl! Today you turn six, and it seems as though you've always been a part of lives. Mommy and I look at each other all the time and wonder what we did before you were born. Our live were so much different - so much less complete. We both feel as though in our souls that we've always known you - that we've always known your face. You were meant to be.

When you were born on this day in 2003, you changed everything. I never knew I could love so much or be so proud. You still find ways every day to amaze me, and you probably don't even know that you do it. You're just trying out your wings every day and growing, but what I see is a beautiful picture being painted, full of color and heart and subtle beauty. You are finesse. I hear music in your voice and a symphony in your laugh. Some of the best moments of my life are with you.

You inspire me. Thank you for being you.

I love you, bigger than the world.

-Daddy

My love affair with Rudy's continues...

Okay, so the other day I posted an entry about Rudy's having both Mexican Coke AND Dublin Dr Pepper. I didn't even go into the incredible food (the cream corn is my favorite) that they have and the best sweet tea ever.

I've had this ongoing love affair with Rudy's ever since Kristi took me to the Round Rock location in 2007. There are other Rudy's locations, but for my money that's still the best one. The new location on 290 in Houston is a close second.

And I neglected to mention that one week in October 2007, I had Rudy's every night. That's right. For a week. One of the best weeks ever.

But I digress. Anyway, this morning in my inbox, I get a notice that someone had posted a comment about my Rudy's post. It turns out that it was Rudy's itself:

"Hey James!

Glad you love Rudy's and we agree it does beat ol' Disney World. See you again soon!

Respect the Meat!

RUDYS.com"

How many other barbecue joints would take the time to respond to a blog post? Now THAT'S awesome, and an indication of a company that's doing it right. I have no idea how they even found the post or the blog, but they did. And that means they have someone out there who's job it is do do that kind of stuff. That goes above and beyond what most ad agencies do for their clients and what most food chains do for their customers.

So kudos to you, Rudy's. As you know, word of mouth is the best advertising you can hope for. It's priceless. And take it from this advertising guy - I'm going to keep talking you up.

Thanks, Rudy's. You get it.