Half-assed

I am frequently annoyed by my own tendency to start small projects and hobbies and never really GET there.

I remember collecting stamps, coins. 2 weeks and then I lost interest.
I remember playing drums, flute, trombone, clarinet. A few weeks/months and then I lost interest.
I remember dabbling with photography. 2 weeks and out...never long enough to actually go buy gear that would make all the difference.
I love skiing, scuba diving, soccer, swimming, board games, etc., but never enough to become obsessed. And never enough to become really good at it, I guess.
I started painting. I liked it a lot, although it was no easy ride. Half-assed again...now the terrible result hangs in the shed.

Right now, I am working with vector graphics to make some sort of T-shirt concept for my friend's music venue come late summer. I have a nice sketch, and I've made some neat effects...but I never seem to reach the point where it comes together for me. I suspect because my skills, although maybe better than average, are still relatively half-assed. Bloody annoying because all the concepts are in my head. The practical building is just not appealing enough to ever let me finish.

I know I am a terrible perfectionist, which might be why I hate half-assed stuff, which in turn leads me to abandon those half-assed projects, which in turn forces me into new domains of half-assed-ness. I'm a half-ass on the run, forever chasing my half-assed shadow.

This might sound depressing, but it's not really meant that way. I probably have quite broad domain knowledge because of this quirk. I am coming to terms with the fact that I am more conceptually oriented than action-minded. It has taken a bit of introspection to accept that, because actions are generally perceived the winner. Even if they are only half-assed.

Here's to concepts, ideas, and visions. Fully drawn potentials...nothing half-assed about those..! =)

Me must learn EVERYTHING

It's all accessible here. Impressive collection.

I caught myself daydreaming about somehow taking a full month off from work, migrating to a wifi-connected cave in Bhutan, and just studying all the links intensively. Then I would emerge as an encyclopedic demigod...a true renaissance man.
Of course, that will never happen...at one point I would likely hit some massive equations of quantum mechanics and start gnawing my limbs off.

A bird in the hand...

...is worth more than a Bush.

Gave in and bought a ticket for the (very likely) only appearance Ice Cube will ever make in Jutland. Expensive it was...and I was pretty pissed off at the pricing. So much, I actually wrote a complaint to the venue. They fired back with sound arguments about the small size of the establishment (Train), and thus higher ticket prices...but also a hopefully uniquely intimate atmosphere.

So, it will be interesting. Cube was my big hero back in 90-93, along with Gangstarr. His later stuff has been mediocre, to say the least. No soul, no funk...just synthetic loops and monotone club bangers. The regularly highlighted tracks, anyway. I'll admit I haven't really heard a full album since Lethal Injection. Hah, that came out 16 years ago! Crappit, I feel ancient.

My all time favourite will always be Death Certificate, however. A masterpiece of it's time...mixing just about all perspectives on black society, gang life, and US problems that one could imagine. And even managing a bit of introspection and self-criticism. Crossing my fingers for a LOT of pre-93 stuff...

[EDIT]
Gig was very good, with hints of excellence and a few pinches of wackness. Much too little pre-Predator material. Actually, only one NWA track (F.T.P., of course) and then "Natural Born Killaz". So, Cube's arguably two best albums were entirely lost to the set, save for some lame excerpts thrown together by the DJ at one point. Cube also left the stage for almost 30 minutes while WC pushed (admittedly good) material. But it doesn't count, when the show doesn't add that time in the end. Cube's club bangers held surprisingly well and the last 20 minutes were epic - but the concert needed 3 more tracks to be considered a great play, price and cheery atmos considered.
I am bitching too much since it was a great evening and Cube was in a great mood. Hard but happy and humourous. I just really needed those classics, man?

La Linea

I suddenly remembered this classic and, as expected, the kiddo is also thrilled. Humorous across generations - or maybe I'm just extra childish. Is that real Italian or just gibberish?

Take a look at the interactive Youtube version, quite nice.

A rare update

Started tapping in old names into Facebook from a pocket book I kept while traveling Australia in 96/97 and later on Thailand in 01. Great fun...a few people actually showed up. It will be interesting to see if they bite :)

Here is a nice view of the US stimulus package. Quite extraordinary how tax cuts make up one third of it. Much of it due to republican obstructions, of course - but really a world apart from the philosophy of the Europeans. I saw economist Paul Krugman comment on it today. I cannot believe how republicans still manage to push the image of fiscal responsibility...it's as if they're completely blind to historical facts.

Other than that, Vestas came out with a great annual report. The newspapers focused almost exclusively on the modest remarks made by Engel on possible layoffs. Really, it was just a realistic perspective on the credit crisis...very far from the actual results the company has achieved. I am hoping to save enough to buy Vestas stock before long. With a unprecedented 3-year PTC* extension and a US energy secretary named Chu, I don't see how Vestas stock is not some of the best long term investment one can do. Don't believe the stockbroker hype!

I got to shake hands with the Danish Prime Minister the other day during a government visit to our virtual reality center. Good fun, even if I kept to the shady background. Those VIPs are always a lot shorter than television suggests. The minister of finance is so much shorter than his partying record would suggest. Much respect to Bushwick Bill!
I also got an impression of the political skills of those people, when the PM afterward gave 3 or 4 almost identical interviews to the attending news media. He's a human sampler! I wouldn't be able to resist spicing things up a bit for the 2nd or 3rd journalist.

* Production Tax Credit - a US tax credit provided for producers of renewable energy.

French excellence

This is terrific: http://www.easyweb.fr/slideshow.html

I really want to do this

Bruce Sterling is a favourite of mine. Not that I have read that many of his books, but his blogging is enormously inspiring and particularly a design speech he once made at a German university - the Max Weber Institute, I think. Sadly, I've lost the link but it's all about SPIME!

Now, he is closing his Viridian movement, and leaves us with this note. Just waiting for that pivotal moment now...

[EDIT]
Found this, builds on some of the text.

Great track: Pugs Atomz

http://www.zshare.net/audio/53312369ba7ff95f/
Too bad I missed Vadim in Aarhus.

Best Wishes!

And so Christmas hits us right between the eyes. I have been baking gingerbread cookies and entertained the oldest kid by making various decorations. Cannot believe I am disclosing this - not a role I would usually see myself in - but it was all great fun and in a sense therapeutic. I got to turn the tempo all the way down - until I needed to clean up the mess afterwards, that is.

Best wishes to all - remember to be a kid when you get the chance ;)

Gamer reborn

Looking back at my Florida writings, it looks like something where I would think "Damn, that guy does not seem to get out much...". Eheheh.....

Anyway, back at work and a having a nice and calm December so far. My family and I have been heavily hit by disease but thankfully every instance has only lasted a day or two. It's as if the germs give up on our sad carcasses soon after the initial invasion.

"Fuck this, let's find somebody worth the effort."

So, I spoilt myself buying Fallout 3 in Orlando. Boy oh boy. I am like a child again. Magnificent game. It's not online or filled with bright colours. It's gritty, slow-paced, and foreboding. A real discovery and turn-ever-stone experience, which suits me so well, but with which others might lose their patience. I really think it retains a lot of the original Fallout 1 and 2 atmos, perhaps because it holds on to the concept of "strategic time", be it as passive travel time or in the V.A.T.S. combat system.
I heartily recommend it - yesterday I ran into my first super mutant. Nearly soiled myself...that's the mark of a good game!

My Bloody Luck

10 days ago, I was ever the big spender in Orlando and I love our new little Canon point-and-shoot.
But it's just my bloody luck that Vestas chooses this year to give employees as their Christmas gift...a digital camera. Bleh.

Self-rantage

Just a few musings, thinking back on my great trip:

The tipping system is insane, and inflating as far as I can tell. 18% default now.

Great vertical processes (queues, service systems, ways of organising events).

Really poor horisontal processes (people know nothing outside their own function).

Services are expensive, goods are inexpensive.

There is no privacy if you are even suspected of a crime (you and your family will be on the local news with names, address, and all).

Open WiFi is abundant...boy, could we learn from that.

Orlando, Florida is all but devoid of birds. I saw 1...and heard maybe 3. By the end of the week it felt kind of spooky. As if they were all ganging up somewhere, waiting for us to let down our guard. I actually saw more chipmunks than birds.

A particular Dane is stupid enough to buy a new glittery keyboard, oblivious to the fact that layout is still different based on country. Yes, that has not been standardised, you idiot. In fact, I only just realised this writing this very post to test the damned thing. Very nice, mac-like, bluetooth.....and all wrong. MORON!
This is where Apple-induced vanity will get you...

Floribbean: Part Fun

Back home now - but the fun part of Orlando came on Friday when we went to Universal. Oh, and did an obscene amount of shopping. Those fashion outlets are crazy, especially for a Scandinavian. I got 5 pieces of clothing for what one would cost here.

Higlights of Universal were the Mummy coaster and the new Simpsons Ride. The latter is magnificent. I didn't know what to expect and I was completely amazed. Basically, it's a virtual rollercoaster - you sit in a wagon that moves in its place - but the gigantic IMAX-like screen above you takes you away to another place completely.
Don't miss this if you go there - even if the Universal entry fee is bloody expensive...well over $90, as I recall.

Today I am recovering by looking after 2 kids one of which is sick - my jetlag is really bad. I am half asleep right now. Monday, go away.

Floribbean: Part Serious

Notes from the conference - the only notes, since this was one of the more interesting lectures I attended..!

Virtual Training Simulations & Game-Based
Systems: Large-Scale Adoption Issues
Chair: Amala Sadagic

Training beyond the technical stuff.
Military situation: large people turnover

Training needs: many noobs, new skills, short time frame

System succes criteria:
- large majority adoption (>80%).
- methodical and consistent use.
- 24/7 availability.

Comment: perishable skills issue

Literature: Diffusion of Innovation, Everett M. Rogers

Adopters:
1. innovators
2. early adopters
3. early majority
4. late majority
5. laggards

Opinions on new technology often formed on basis of subjective evaluations received from peers.

Factors on adoption:
1. relative advantage
2. compatibility
3. complexity
4. trialability (-> incremental adoption)
5. observability

Game systems never the full solution. Explore synergies between old and new systems.

Other media: forums, blogs, project diaries, podcasts, etc.

Mandatory deployment w. challenge programs (competitions).

Floribbean: Part 2

Friday now, and of course my note processing has not been entirely as planned.
For one thing, our hotel really sucks. Avoid the Orlando Metropolitan Resort if you can. It has the same steep pricing as the rest, $119 a night, but the standard of at least half of its rooms is that of a typical motel: run down and unpleasant. The WiFi provided is visible but almost impossible to access, and of course the regular staff just point to their 'business booth' which costs a fortune and provides crappy computers in a closet-sized, poorly lit cubicle in the lobby. An official conference hotel needs free WiFi, dammit!

Rant is well over now. I hardly spend any time in my shabby room, but after 5 days I really miss my own bed.

ITSEC conference has been so-so. We hit a couple of good sessions in the beginning but nearly all sessions have been 90% military-related. It has required a very concious effort to extract points and good ideas for our own industry context.
Best things have been a session on large scale adoption of virtual training technology, and a session on ROI (return-of-investment) assessment regarding simulation, modelling, and virtual reality integration. Both things extremely relevant, but all in all the price tag on the full conference participation has not quite been justified.

Actually, we have learned just as much on the exhibit floor, looking at a lot of visual technologies. I have seen amazing new projection systems, large scale simulators, loads of almost vulgar weaponry, and a lot of geo-based imaging software. The latter was really the largest category, as if all companies had fled into that domain, once the data was there to support a market.

I have more to tell, but right now I need to get up and running. Today is the last day. It's our one day off so it's all about FUN!
25 degrees...mmmm...

JIEDDO

The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization.

A worthy cause indeed - and one of the few abbrevations which is actually surpassed by its original parts in terms of obscurity.

Floribbean: Part 1

Well on the ground here in Orlando, Florida - right now laying sleepless in my bed, waiting for breakfast time to arise. Not that I am particularly jetlagged but we turned in early when we got here.

Thankfully, they are a lot more generous with WiFi access points here than in Europe, so the Ipot is going to be really handy over here. I plan to update the blog each day, if not with long boring narratives then at least with basic notes from the conferences.

A great thing is that the Ipod location services seem to be accurate, so my Nearby and Around Me applications are spitting out large amounts of local shops and restaurants. Tonnes of both so in danger of webformation overload. Suggestions for good eating around Orlando are welcome!

Mental note to self:
- must start global airline for tall people.
- should include kindergarten rooms for hysterical toddlers.
- must not rely on half-frozen lunch meals.

Go West

Heading off to Orlando, Florida tomorrow. My colleague and I are attending 2 conferences. The ITSEC training and simulation conference and the PowerGen energy convention. Still mortally tired after two mad work weeks, but I think I'll manage to cram in some leisure time ;)
Only worry is the inevitable Christmas shopping that needs to be done!

Business: the original concept

As in "being busy" which is what I am. Profoundly so - in fact, the past 10 days are the busiest I can remember. Vestas is really an ant's nest and the initial weeks of noobness have been replaced by full-on schedules, very short lunch breaks, and quick decisions. I am loving it. Other places it would be a problem but the nature of my work is so interesting that I am awaking with a smile every morning. Even if I am dropping dead early every evening :)

Signing up...again

Congrats to the world on the Obama victory!
If you need a downer to quench all the emotional giddiness of having beaten the insane GOP, have a look at Ralph Nader's response. He ain't too impressed - and although I think he misses the point in regards to the tactics Obama needed to employ for that win, it is certainly true that Obama has to deliver before he may be worshiped.

On another note, I have been trying to update my digital signature, a task which is not for the faint-of-heart. I will explain my results here, just so others may accidentally stumble over them in search of happiness.

Problem:
The newer versions of TDC's digital signature are all slick and need to be so in order to 1) use Java for installation, 2) avoid ActiveX problems during installation, and 3) avoid general Windows (Vista) mayhem during installation.
In my case, hating IE like the plague, I wanted to install my new certificate on Firefox. Having received my TDC confirmation code by snail mail, I set out to do this but was quickly stopped by all sorts of odd error messages. If not a Firefox or Java negative, then a Windows Vista negative.

Solution:
TDC is an ailing dinosaur which has not performed well for several years, and this is also the case with the digital signature. While you can easily install the signature through IE, you are effectively stuck with a signature that IE will not export for subsequent import into FF. FF only takes the proper certificate format and IE refuses to hand that over. The digital signature installation only delivers a proxy HTML address for another export process, which - surprise surprise - is not compatible with FF.
So, as far as I can see, there is only 1 solution. The "Eksportér signatur" link on this particular help page will actually let you export the IE certificate directly in the proper format (PKCS12) for later import in Firefox.
I sure hope that page stays up.

They are threatening to change it all to a new kind of certificate soon - one which will actually require a code booklet. You might consider getting the old, simple version. Perhaps it will last a few years and postpone your TDC/DANID agony.