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Friday, December 26, 2008

Persian Christmas Robots

This was the first year we hosted Christmas at our place. There were seven adults and two children crammed into our tiny one bedroom apartment and it was great. We had gotten a 4’ live potted Monterey Pine from Adopt a Christmas Tree, an organization servicing the San Diego area that both delivers the tree and then picks it up after the holidays to plant it somewhere where it is needed. The presents probably would have obscured the entire tree, had it not been standing on a stool. I spent pretty much all day yesterday preparing a pretty successful Persian meal consisting of chelo kabaab, rice (cooked chelo style and sprinkled with saffron rice), chicken kabaab, salad shirazi (tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley, lemon juice & olive oil), garlic and minted yogurt, sabzi (mixed herbs and vegetables), and hot lavaash and pita bread.



(Leftovers)

I got a lot of nice gifts, including Lego Mindstorms, which I have been wanting for a while now (yes, I am 10 years old). Here’s a short video of our first little experiment with it. Ryan built the robot and a created a short and simple program using the visual NXT “language.” I purchased a few books on Amazon regarding more sophisticated designs and using a C-like programming language to have more command over what the robots can do. Looking forward to it.

Friday, December 19, 2008

I’m Dreaming of a Chiptune Christmas

Doctor Octoroc has given some old Christmas songs a whole new sound. Not only has he created chip-tune versions of traditional carols such as The First Noel, but he’s done each of them in the style of a distinctive and recognizable NES game. While the album isn’t 100% completed, you can download the songs Doc Oc has done so far—a preview of sorts—for free off of his website! Once the album is completed (expected to be out December 20), it too will be available for free download! ‘Tis the season of giving indeed. I urge you to check 8-bit Jesus out and see how you like it.

Finally, I’d like you to consider Doc Oc’s request: If you enjoy 8-bit Jesus, please help with a small donation. Doc Oc will reward kind donations of $15 with a physical copy of the 8-bit Jesus album. Please consider doing this—he’s in a bit of a financial mess right now, mostly because his adorable Corgi puppy must get an expensive surgery. Read more about this and you decide whether you wish to help or not. Remember, the digital version of 8-bit Jesus is completely free; it is up to you if you feel you should and can give a contribution. I am in no way affiliated with Doctor Octoroc, I’m just a fan of his holiday creation and a sucker for cute puppies—especially Corgis named Ein. I mean, just look at him.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Cockatiel Learning Totaka’s Song

We’re trying to teach our 3 month old cockatiel, Mui Mui, to whistle Totaka’s Song (also known as K.K. Song from Animal Crossing). I sneaked a short video of her on the MacBook before she got distracted (she loves watching the screen and chewing on the MacBook’s keys).