Gary Newman

Listing David Bowie, Ultravox, and Philip K. Dick as his primary influences, Gary Numan, and earlier, TubeWay Army, was one of the pioneering synth bands that paved the way for new wave and eventually the rise of industrial bands like Nine Inch Nails and many others.

If you are an American, and an adolescent during the 80s, you probably remember him for his single, "Cars". I can remember the early days of MTV and watching the video for Cars. Gary Numan just stood still without emotion. It was cheesy video but subtlety was not a charcteristic of the 80s.

If you are synth fan, like myself, going back to some of the early music of these electronic bands is still an interesting listening experience. If you listen to yahoo 80s radio stations, you can occasionally hear some of his music in rotation.

In the spring of 2006 Gary Numan released his latest album Jagged. Not surprising it sounds a lot like something Nine Inch Nails might put out.

Listen to Gary Numan discussing "Jagged"(MP3)

Gary Numan Wikipedia

Official Site

How to Get Six Pack Abs...

The simple 2 step process to gaining six pack abs is as follows: strengthen your abdominal muscles and lose body fat. The concept is simple, but putting it into action is not. It will take dedication, willpower, patience and time to get a six pack but in the end, the effort is well worth it. Here is some info on the process.

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Six-Pack-Abs

Second Life Part I: An Introduction to Participation Media

I first learned about second life when I found this video on google videos last week. Second Life is not really a game although it is massively multiplayer and it is online. You create and customize your own avatar . Via a third person POV, you explore an intricate online world where thousands of other people are online creating and interacting with each other.

One aspect of Second Life I find interesting is that the users, called Residents, are responsible for creating much of the content that is seen. User created content is not new in the world of games and I think this is a brilliant approach to maintaining a virtual world. You are not limited by the objects and locations that are there today. Tomorrow it may be different. This is how content is kept fresh and interesting; it doesn't get old.

Those who are familiar with 3D creation and image manipulation software such as 3DS Max and Photoshop, will feel comfortable with the object creation tool built into the Second Life interface. However, there is still a learning curve. To aid users with learning, SL made another smart decision by creating online classes in virtual lecture halls and open spaces. There are schedules available informing you of upcoming classes in various subjects from creating textures and objects to making (real) money in the Second Life world by offering design services.

Aside from the geeks and the freaks, who would be interested in this? Well, SL noticed the overwhelming success of MySpace and are attempting to convert the success of MySpace to a virtual world. Suzanne Vega performed live in Second Life just a few days ago (aug . You can see the video here. Duran Duran will also perform in the next month or two. There's more on the music scene in Second Life here.

Corporate interest is there as well. Starwood Hotels will launch a new hotel in Second Life. The real world hotel will open sometime in 2008. Starwood plans to gather feedback from users. CNET has an article on the Starwood Hotel "ALOFT" here.

I have always been interested in Virtual Reality and CGI. While in college in 1992, I can remember reading the book Virtual Reality: The Revolutionary Technology of Computer-Generated Artificial Worlds - and How It Promises to Transform Society, by futurist Howard Rheingold. Fast Forward 14 years later, I was surprised to find that he was particpating in an in-world Second Life interview here discussing the impact of online social communities. I realize that I'm still interested in virtual reality and the potential for virtual communities like Second Life.

By showcasing bands, inviting speakers, and marketing their unique technology to companies worldwide, Second Life is well positioned to lead the future in VR.

Yahoo! Answers

Yahoo allows users to ask questions that are then answered by other yahoo members. The member asking the question can then pick the best response. While some people provide mostly serious answers, there are some funny answers.

A member asks for suggestions for good wines to go with hotdogs.

Read the Answers


Another person asks, "How do you get the smell of garlic off of your fingers?"
Read the Answers

My thoughts on obesity and dating.

I find it interesting that if I desire a relationship with somone that is physically fit then I'm shallow. At first it would seem this way. Sure it's rediculous if you are only a few pounds overweight and no one will date you for that. But, I'm not referring to these people. I am referring to those who are young, single, with no kids, and more than just a few pounds overweight. These are the people who place personal ads refering to themselves as "Rubenesque" or "BBW" (and a multitude of other ways of describing obese). I think if you look deeper, the weight can tell you a lot more about the person, generally speaking of course. While there may be a medical reason why that person may not be able to control their weight, I believe that more than the majority of the obesity problems today can be attributed to nothing more than our decisions.

So? why does a lot of extra weight make a difference? Besides the fact that society believes it isn't as atrractive (yes, that is shallow), I'm going to make an assumption that an overweight person is probably not going to be as interested in physical activity and may prefer a sedentary lifestyle instead. Afterall, if they were interested in physical acitivty on a routine basis, they probably wouldn't be overweight. One concern one might have is that an obese person may tire easily. Being overweight while you are young may lead to medical problems in the future. It is well documented that oebsity is more likely to lead to illness and disability. I think we have a crisis right now with obese children. What example are we setting? What do obese people think about that? Do they not realize that it is a crisis? Are we in denial?

Many of us live to eat. The obese seem to be dominated by this mindset. Their lives revolve around Food. They are constantly eating or snacking on something. Is this healthy?

In a relationship, is it fair that activities and events cannot be enjoyed because one person often lacks the energy to engage in physical activity? As we get older and our lives are further complicated with more responsibilities, what impact will that have on our bodies? My point is that it doesn't get any easier. We are going to put on weight as our metabolism slows. Why not try to put this off as long as possible?

I have a tough time beleiving that while we are young and single that we cannot find the time to exercise and make better choices when consuming food. There is no excuse, is there? Your physical condition is a reflection of your willpower, eating habits, and lifestyle.