Ages ago

I took a break after my thesis work that it took a while to get back into the swing. I went on a cruise to celebrate my big day and turning an appropriate but slightly large numerical age. I watched a ton of anime and read more Harry Potter. I joined Netflix and finished listening to my entire soundtrack/score collection consisting of over 250 CDs. It's been a big project getting away from my big project. Now I am back into the swing of things. Looking for full time employment and deciding what to do with the next few years of my life. No worries, the hard part has to be over.

For my purposes only a list of anime

Catching up on old Anime

So I finished Neon Genesis:Evangelion and though was disappointed with how the story ended, loved the images that flashed across the screen as it did. That sort of collage always plays well with me. Hopefully the movie will enlighten me a bit more on what exactly happened to Yugi.

Also watched the Truth and Betrayal Rorouni Kenshin Movie and was a flutter with samurais and romantic gestures. It truly was a masterpiece of anime.

Speaking of masterpieces, I watched Nausicaa again this past weekend in Japanese. It is growing on me but I still think Mononoke is better. I had to watch it again just to prove it too myself. I love the door opening scene and the scene where Ashitaka holds his sword in his mouth to shoot an arrow and the impending samuarais. God bless Miyazaki.

Lost in numbers

The repeating numbers

Just when the show, LOST, tends to be about the characters, mysteries abound around a set of numbers which could link everything. After reading numerous message boards about these numbers popping up everywhere from years on a job to rows on a connect four game, this show peaks my spidy skills once again to become my favorite of the season. So enchantingly produced and eerily connected, LOST sneaks its way to a season finale complete with birthing baby.

Firefox spreads

The browser of the week is Firefox (abbreviated Fx). With customization and fast loads, there is no comparison to IE. I will never go back.

On another note, I have been watching Neon Genesis: Evangelion with eyes of wonder and excitement. I know the series has an incomplete ending but still, this is anime to be reckoned with.

Three Ghibli releases next week

Don't forget to get your copies of these spectacular movies. Buena Vista has a deal where if you buy all three, you get one copy of Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke or Laputa: Castle in the Sky free.

Yeah! for me

Its been six long years but I have passed my final oral examination in my Ph.D. program. A big thanks to all my family and friends who have supported and encouraged me throughout the years. I am glad it is over but I long for a time when things will not be so complicated. Anyways, a big woohoo!

Welcome back, Science Fiction

I can say with absolute certainty that the role of science fiction in my life just jumped about 10 notches. The Friday night lineup on the SciFi channel is some of the best television out there with production values through the roof and pretty actors galore. While I admit that Stargate: SG-1 has let me down with their stay-at-home storylines, the witty writing still keeps me involved. Stargate: Atlantis has greeeat potential (said with the voice of Thor) and Battlestar Galactica rivets my attention for every second. Too bad they ripped off Firefly's camera zooms in space but didn't keep the silence in space aspect which would have put it over the top. Thank God we scifi fans have something to scream about because it was getting bone dry.

On a related note, the Wednesday night lineup on ABC with J.J. Abrams' Lost followed by Alias is also ranked up there as top television. This night is my weekly fix for impressive action and intriguing drama. Nothing but 24 could push these two well suited shows off the top of my list.

Whoa - Talk about fingertips

Mozilla Firefox - Smart Keywords

So I use the keyboard more than the mouse and switching to Firefox has really made information more accessible to these overworked digits. Just right clicking in any search box can add a keyword search so that moving to the url box and typing a simple keyword followed by my inquiry brings the page right up. No clicking, just typing. All's good in Firefox these days.

Miyazaki DVD explodes

UltimateDisney Forum

Two excellent releases of Hayao Miyazaki films are being released February 22, 2005. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Porco Rosso, and a bonus is Studio Ghibli's The Cat Returns. Their menus are shown at the UltimateDisney.com forums. There is no end to this excitement and I eagerly away My Neighbor Totoro and Howl's Moving Castle.

Get a load of Alias...

In the words of Marshall, "We're back!" It was a perfect opener, a perfect setup for a great new season when finally the bru ha ha's of red tape don't weigh them down. I hope the action and drama continue.

Women in Engineering

The Google 2005 Anita Borg Scholarships

As a woman in the engineering field, it gladdens me that a large company with much influence in technology advertises something close to my heart. I only hope that more women are encouraged to pursue a vast and challenging career.

Happy New Year

Time for some great happenings on TV. Alias and 24 are back and both have the power to overwhelm. I am geared up and ready to go!

Give TV a chance

My most recent aquisitions include Sean Callery's 24 and Michael Giacchino's Alias 1 and 2 scores for some of the most impressive tv shows on the tube today. More impressive is the music to both of these shows. And finally the most impressive is that both 24 and Alias 2 are signed by their composers. A prized possesion indeed.

Browder jumps through a wormhole

Ben Browder joins Stargate SG-1

It couldn't happpen to a better guy. First he makes waves on a living ship called Moya and now he takes another sci-fi leap and joins the cast of SG-1 for their TENTH season. Let's hope he isn't a Daniel clone and tries to mix things up a bit.

Not terribly Wicked

I finally finished Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Macguire. While intriguing, the ending left me a bit cold and the characters not as engaging as I previously thought. Still it was an entertaining look at whether one is born into wickedness or how it develops in one's life.

I've been quoted

Additions and plugins for Google Deskbar

It seems I thought of something original or at least that someone else hadn't figured out yet. Nice of Chris to ask my permission and use my name when giving the tip for using the amperstand in Google Deskbar.

A Shore thing

Howard Shore, the master behind The Lord of the Rings score is featured in Music from the Movies, a monthly magazine released in the UK. Having had one exported here to the US, I finally finished it cover to cover. Reading the interviews, choral translations and photographs few have ever seen, I relish the time when Douglas Adams' book on the music from The Lord of the Rings is released along with the complete score sometime next year.

The end of all things

Return of the King Extended Edition DVD

Lord of the Rings is finally coming to an end when the Extended Edition of Return of the King DVD is released December 17. A six minute preview is available on the main site. It just reeks of excitement. The Saruman and the Palantir, Eowyn and Faramir, The Mouth of Sauron, I could go on. I can not express the gratitude I feel for the team who created this visionary and emotional masterpiece. I only sadden that there will be no other excitement to come next year.

Jeopardy is back on the table

Final Jeopardy loss

Finally, after too many months to count, Ken Jennings is off Jeopardy. Maybe now it will be fun to watch again.

Google bits

The magic that makes Google tick

Ever wonder how they do it? Google has some impressive numbers and hints about how the number one search engine gives you those results and fast.