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September 30, 2007
"CowGirl" oil painting of an Elvgren by Nitrozac
Click here to bid on painting.
This painting is a bit of a departure for me in terms of subject matter, as I usually paint objects or people of Technology. I had so much fun painting the classical Steve Jobs portrait, that I wanted to explore this more. I am an admirer of Elvgren's work. Gil Elvgren was an American painter most famous for his pin-up girls. His use of light and colour is phenomenal, and I love the innocence and playfullness of his work, and the cheesy way his subjects often react to situations or objects.
They say the best way to improve one's art skills is to copy the Masters. "CowGirl" is my take on one of his early advertising images. There's something about the cute redhead and her creamy colours, and the way the light plays on her features, that makes her a really fun painting to look at. She is primarily inspired by Elvgren, but I added my own touches to this painting, such as the desert background and suggestions of her jacket. I do hope you enjoy this painting as much as I do, as she is a pleasure to admire. If I do sell her during this auction, she will be very much missed.
Details: "CowGirl" is Nitrozac's 30th paintng of her Painting Blog. It's an oil painting, on 11 x 14 inch stretched canvas. The painting will be dry and ready to ship in about a couple weeks after the auction ends, depending on the drying conditions and such. The back of the painting will contain the title, the date painted, Nitrozac's signature, and a fingerprint for authenticity.
If the painting isn't sold this auction, Snaggy and I are going to keep this painting in our collection, as we are very fond of her. But in the event that others fall in love with the CowGirl too... best of luck to all bidders!
Shipping for each painting is extra... to the US and Canada it is 12 dollars, to other locations, 25 dollars. Please Note: Canadians will be charged any appropriate taxes (GST (and PST if the bidder is from British Columbia) in addition to the sale price.
Posted by Nitrozac at 07:08 PM
September 27, 2007
Been too long since some Forum Tidbits!
Nitrozac wonders is 8 hours sleep gonna kill you?, ... hal9000 seeks a Digital SLR with Time Lapse, ... The Famous Druid tells what to do if you find a gun in the street and asks Is our children learning?, ... and Snaggy plays kindergarten cop Because it needs its own thread.
Posted by Snaggy at 10:32 AM
September 26, 2007
Generation "X" to Generation "$"
Depending on which expert you talk to, Generation X was was born between 1961 and 1978 -- like me! Though hard to define, the consensus is that we make lousy employees. Generation X has been described as a group of cynical, hopeless, frustrated and unmotivated slackers.
But we are a misunderstood generation! Herein lies the seeds of our oppression: being sandwiched between the two most spoiled generations in history: the Baby Boomers (1946-1960) and the "Millennials" (1979-1998).
Here is where the hopeless cynicism comes from...
-The Boomers liberated our Moms so we got to go home to an empty house and watch "Leave it to Beaver" re-runs instead of going to the "Club Med" feel good daycares that came with the Millennials.
-By the time we got to go to college, all the spots were taken. The admission standards went through the roof because the Boomers were still there. All their wild partying delayed their graduation.
-After graduation all the jobs were gone. The Boomers turned into Yuppies, started working twice the hours as anyone else, and put everyone else out of work. Thanks a lot dudes - NOT!!
-We often had to move back to live with our parents. Humiliation aside, we then had a hard time borrowing money from them since they were getting downsized out of a job. Thanks a lot again you "Boomer-turned-Yuppi- workaholics" for bumping our parents out... why did you choose to abandon your partying!!!!!!
-During this period, the Boomers then started creating the Millennials, but not enough of their privileged offspring fund future pension plans(read Generation X pension plans) - jerks!
-Now the combination of Boomers buying their dream houses and those spoiled Millennials buying up the starter homes, real estate prices have shot up just when Generation X is looking to get out of the starter shack that they have been living in - now we are getting double tagged!!
Hope is on the horizon. Those Boomers are going to be retiring soon and all at once. The Millennials are all too young and "Mommy-coddled" to take all the juicy jobs that will be opening up. This is when Generation X will rise and change their name to Generation $. The Boomers will be retired but still spending and consuming and we will be there to charge... ahem ...a reasonable premium; and, just to make up for decades of getting screwed ...with a little interest: BUHWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!
We better save all that extra money too because once the Boomers bleed the pension and health care system dry, there won't be anything left for us. Am I being to hopeless and cynical? ;)
Posted by at 08:05 PM | Comments (0)
September 25, 2007
Now appearing on the JoT... iPhone Wars
Sure, it's been done a million times since 1977, but we couldn't resist the opportunity to do yet another Star Wars parody, especially one that features the original movie's poster. Working on this comic brought back a ton of great memories, that sense of excitment and wonder I had as a kid watching the original, and that feeling that wow, maybe a naive farm boy from the middle of nowhere can change the Universe.
Ironically it's Apple, who once represented the Rebel Alliance against Microsoft to most, who is now becoming somewhat of an Evil Empire with regards to controlling the iPhone's development. I'm probably going to buy an iPhone soon, and being from Canada, where the iPhone still isn't available via Apple's official channels, I've been following the triumphs of the iPhone Rebellion with great interest. I think it would be a real shame if Apple Inc. intentionally squashes the creativity and ingenuity of the iPhone hacking community with its software updates.
If you are a fan of TUAW, you know that Erica Sadun has been doing a fantastic job both with her coverage of the iPhone community and her own hacking. So we thought she would make a perfect Leia in the comic. :-)
By the way, in my research for the comic's JoyPoll, I stumbled upon an interesting fact... did you realize that Wile E. Coyote's middle name is Ethelbert?
So what did you think, do you like the comic? Have an opinion on the iPhone? Let us know in the Forums.
Posted by Snaggy at 10:23 PM
September 24, 2007
Is 8 hours sleep gonna kill you?
As it turns out, getting your 8 hours of z's, isn't very healthy according to this reported study. The magic number for optimum health is lucky number 7. Less than 7 hours and you're risking serious health problems such as heart attacks and diabetes. More than 7 hours, increases mortality rate, but for non-cardiovascular disease reasons including "depression, low socioeconomic status and cancer-related fatigue.”
Recenty, I've purposely reduced my sleep from 9 hours per night, to 8 hours to see if "oversleeping" was causing my headaches. Since I've done that, my headaches have been significantly reduced in frequency and severity, so I think there is something to this. Perhaps I'll try reducing it further to 7 hours sleep and see if I notice any improvements.
How much do you sleep? Let us know in the Forums!
Posted by Nitrozac at 01:58 PM
Waiting for Leopard, wishing and hoping, and hoping and praying...
A new JoT is up, this one dealing with future operating system anxiety. In other words, hoping that Leopard turns out to be a cool cat, not a pussy. Partly inspired by the rash of Mac switching by the likes of Mark Cuban and others,, I thought I'd add a bit of a twist at the end. The good news... after a ton of ho-humery about Leopard, (transparent menus and that green grass/bamboo desktop? What is Steve smokin' these days?) some glimmers of hope are coming through (Wil Shipley loves it, see the second to last paragraph here).
So, is there a little part, deep down inside your Mac fanboy, who is worried about Apple's next OS? Drop us a comment in the Forums!
Posted by Snaggy at 10:34 AM
Tidbits for you, and you alone.
Jace Raven is somewhere Absolutely Amazing, ... Azalie got a laptop, but is still a sad panda and has a couple of questions about Fermilab + Strange Plants, ... LemonSmuggler wonders Wadda I Miss?, ... and Sxeptomaniac is outraged, and insists that you be, too.
Posted by Snaggy at 12:43 AM
September 22, 2007
Tidbits you can savor all weekend long...
Aditu creates a Saturday single: what's your secret tabloid passion?, ... Ashitaka thinks its 31-1-07 all over again, ... garlicguy finds this puzzling, ... The Famous Druid shares Bush's Great News!, ... Darren Duncan asks about the "rationalize like a pirate" comic, ... and Colonel Panic pleads Don't Tase Me Bro!
Posted by Snaggy at 09:05 AM
September 20, 2007
Geeky Addictions, by Rondesvous
My first "hit" was sweet. I tried some at a party so that I would not be a square. I was hooked right away.
Within days I was in the airport. I was sweating, hoping that the customs officer would not ask me to open my suitcase. I was muling Wii. I had the console, the nunchucks, and the sports edition with all the paraphernalia.
Nitrozac and Snaggy got me hooked. They are Wii bowling-heads (they even made a couple of cartoons about it). Now my wife and I spend our free time trying to topple one another's high scores, earn those virtual gold, silver, bronze and elusive platinum medals and generally perfect each game. Sometimes we would miss social outings. Some of my household chores would suffer too. Internet surfing became shamefully neglected.
I was fine with our new Wii lifestyle until I watched MadMoney with Jim Cramer on TV. Cramer is an investment GURU. He was talking about the September 25 release of "Halo" 3. He said that even though the game was expensive ($59.99 for the no frills edition, $69.99 for the Collector's edition and $199.99 for the Legendary edition) the gamers were addicted and would pay any price even if the economy is tanking and the gamers are losing their homes. He did not mention the internet rumors of the "Loser's" edition where you get all three for $299.99.
At first I thought "What??? Halo is whack. Wii is where it's at". Then I thought : Could I, in fact, be among the addicted? Maybe Wii is just a different drug. Maybe those Halo guys and I are brother addicts - pawns of the big corporations. I had to know, so I went on the internet to find out.
These are the signs of addiction according to Mayoclinic.com:
- Need the drug regularly, sometimes many times per day (Yes !)
- Make certain that you maintain a supply of the drug (Yes again!!)
- Failing repeatedly in your attempts to stop using the drug (shamefully Yes!!!)
- Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing (Gulp! or muling the stuff over the border????!!!!)
- Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems (Ohhh Nooooo Yes Again!!!!!)
- Driving or doing other activities that place you and others at risk of physical harm when you're under the influence of the drug (Yippeee! I only play on my couch)
I am not an addict. I do not play the Wii in the car or when operating any heavy machinery. I never operate heavy machinery. But I realize that I only narrowly escaped addiction. So be warned. Addiction is waiting for you. If you are weak natured never pick up the joy stick or remote or nunchucks because you may never be able to let them go.
Posted by at 09:50 PM
September 19, 2007
Wednesdays Tidbits... bet you can't click just one
Snaggy says Goodbye World, ... Alejandrina wonders how to get ris of a Desktop background, ... Callipygous pops An extravagant proposal, ... ewomack reaches 600 Glorious posts, ... and Wingless shows us some Cakes!
Posted by Snaggy at 12:42 AM
September 17, 2007
Mondays Tidbits are full of Whoa!
Azalie is a Geeky non supermodel girl seeking geeky non supermodel guy, ... Alexia says Hello, ... TetrisRock is getting lots of Windows FAT32 Disk Checks , ... Ashitaka finds a CNN typo , ... and YaYawoman reiterates that Spouse beating is not love demmit!
Posted by Snaggy at 08:24 AM
September 15, 2007
Your Weekend Tidbits!
Snaggy wonders What do you use for a personal/business organizer?, invites you to Pretend to be a Time Traveller Day, ... and reports Man builds guillotine, then loses his head , ... TheMoMan says Say What?, ... hal9000 asks Why are old people stubborn? , ... Crawgator's grades are in. ... and the Oscar goes to...
Posted by Snaggy at 04:29 PM
David Pogue on the Re-Birth of the Electric Car
We just finished watching the film "Who killed the Electric Car?"... a very fascinating film, and heartbreaking at times! If you get a chance, check it out. Well now our pal David Pogue has a special report on the rebirth of the electric car. It's airing this Sunday morning, the 16th of September, on "CBS News Sunday Morning" ... on CBS, of course, at about 9:05 am EST. (update: you can now read the full story at the CBS link.)
Posted by Snaggy at 01:10 PM
September 14, 2007
The Pretty Woman Tax
As I was waiting for my chef salad in my favorite cafe, I was glancing through a tabloid. Paul McCartney's divorce may cost him GBP 70 Million (US$ 140 Million). Sir Paul was seen in the Hamptons with his 4 times married friend Christie Brinkley. With a nudge nudge wink wink they thought that he should get advice from her about getting divorced.
Paul take advice from me! I used to practice some family law in my early days as a lawyer. The first rule is that before you ink the deal on the separation of assets you should live like a monk. Do not be seen partying in the Hamptons with former Super-models (or worse current Super-models). If you do, then be prepared to pay the "Pretty woman tax". The tax will be imposed by your ex. The prettier and/or younger the woman you are seeing is than your ex, the more you are going to pay. Your ex will drag things out and keep increasing her demands until you are out of money or patience or the new woman leaves.
The path of humility is the way to go before a settlement is reached. While negotiating the settlement gain weight, wear frumpy clothing and try to look as pale and sickly as possible. If you do date choose older more matronly women. When going to social functions where your ex will be at, drive a beater there or take public transportation. When you see your ex, ask her to lend you money. Let her catch you sneaking food in your pockets to take home.
If you really want to get a good settlement, then set your ex up with Mr. Wonderful. Try to set her up with someone who is younger, richer, smarter and better looking than you. It may be difficult to get someone like that to take your leftovers, but you never know. Tell Mr. Wonderful whatever lies that you have to, but just do it.
Following my advice may mean that for a few months your ex and your common friends may see you as a loser and wash-up, but your pocket book will thank you for it. After the ink is dry on the settlement take the money you save to hit the gym, buy the sports car and find the Pretty woman - tax free!
Posted by at 11:23 AM
September 13, 2007
Forum Tidbits for Thursday!
aditu watches Torchwood, ... TheMoMan received an interesting phone call today, ... Azalie is BACK and shows us a Drawing for art class, ... maximile wonders about Web Browser Upload and Colonel Panic is selling one smokin' hot iBook.
Posted by Snaggy at 12:06 AM
September 11, 2007
CEOs and message boards, by Rondesvous
The investment and internet worlds were shocked July 17 when the sordid fake name message board posting story broke about John Mackey CEO of Whole Foods Market Inc . He posted nasty messages about Wild Oats Markets Inc, a rival organic food company, on Yahoo's finance message board.
Slamming rivals is a breach of netiquette up there with posting an old picture of yourself on a dating site taken before you put on the weight and got all that emotional baggage from that previous relationship. People want honesty on the web.
Mackey had very good motives though. Whole Foods was trying to buy out Wild Oats. He was trying to get everyone to sell their shares so that Whole Foods could buy them cheaper. Those cynics at the US Federal Trade Commission allege that it was part of his master plan to corner the organic food market, keep major grocery chains from buying Wild Oats to springboard into the organic food market, and squeeze more money from those tie-dyed, flip flop wearing organic food shoppers. When reading the court documents you can visualise Mackey wringing his hands, drooling at the mouth and letting out an evil BUHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!!!!! (Then going off to play creepy evil mastermind guy music on the pipe organ). Now shopping for organic food seems so sleazy and dirty.
Unfortunately Mackey was not very clever. He used the nic "RAHODEB" a jumbled version of his wife's name "DEBORAH". In his last post as Rahodeb he tipped his hat to people who figured it out. Maybe they also figured out that with his wedding anniversary, children's names and their birthdays you could hack into his computer and bank accounts and auction off his identity (or at least one of his identities). Mackey would also post stuff like he thought the Whole Foods CEO looked cute!
Here are some posts that I think another CEO or former CEO posted, let me know what you think:
SATAN1: I STILL THINK THAT N640K OF RAM IS ENOUGH FOR ANYBODY
SATAN1: HEY THAT WINDOWS 2000 WAS THE GREATEST HARDLY ANY BUGS IN IT AT ALL. VISTA IS ALMOST AS GOOD.
SATAN1: DON'T YOU THINK THAT THOSE MAC/PC GUY COMMERCIALS SUCK. DON'T YOU THINK THAT THAT MAC GUY LOOKS LIKE A PUNK THAT DESERVES A GOOD POUNDING. COME ON PEOPLE!!!! WHO IS WITH ME ON THIS ONE!!!!
SATAN1: WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THAT INVESTMENT GUY FROM MEXICO BECOMING THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD????? HE DIDN'T INVENT ANYTHING OR INTRODUCE SOMETHING THAT REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORLD AND LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OF MANKIND??? COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!ARE YOU WITH ME ON THIS ONE?!!!!!
Posted by at 11:41 PM
September 10, 2007
Monday's Forum Tidbits!
business attire bangs out this time, I was actually in a car accident, ... BooBooKitty finds this Simply Horrific, ... nerdwithnofriends has Low voltage woes, ... Wingless creates Creation Science 101, ... kermit_the_mac's Powerbook screen won't wake up , ... and Rhonwyyn tells a tale of Garlic Head bragging rights.
Posted by Snaggy at 12:24 AM
September 06, 2007
Some Forum Tidbits goodness....
Aditu cooks up the Thursday Two - foods, ... hal9000 rants about church, ... Snaggy jokes about the hair dryer, ... Ashitaka gets a Birthday cake, ... dragonman97 digs the new iPod nanos, ... and Colonel Panic buys a Brand New Car.
Posted by Snaggy at 02:07 PM
September 04, 2007
The Office Season 3 Giveaway!
It's the Office Season 3 on DVD! And we are giving it away free to one lucky geek! Check out the giveaway here, and post in the Forums to win!
Posted by Snaggy at 11:04 AM
Start off September with these Forum Tidbits!
Snaggy announces the winners of the 1000th comic giveaway!, ... Spiderman waves a bit, ... Colonel Panic brings up Ron Paul, ... stevenback7 needs advice saving battery power on his cell phone, ... and Moi seeks Shareware to make ringtones.
And in SuperFan Clubhouse Tidbits: Snaggy wraps up the 1000th comic giveaway for SuperFans!
Posted by Snaggy at 08:56 AM