Oddball Update – Page 25 – Chief Oddball writes about tech, games, cars and family life

Run for the Border

February 8, 2009February 8, 2009 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

Make a ruuunnnn…for the borderrrrr…Taco Bell! Okay, sorry. The ’80s just came back to me unbidden, as they so often do. Today Apple and I made our own run for the border: The border of Malaysia, rather than Mexico. However, what was going to be a fairly routine visa run and shopping trip turned into a bit more of an adventure than we expected.

Invigorated

January 30, 2009November 12, 2011 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

Hey, where’s the post about the giant robot angst? Suffice it to say, I’ll finish the second part of my Evangelion-themed entries a little later than I expected. In the meantime, my attention has been bouncing like a pinball from one new idea to another, and by now, my minor rediscovery of anime is only one facet of my overall sphere of inspiration.

Whipped.

January 22, 2009January 22, 2009 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

And I mean tired. Yes, that’s my excuse for why this site was neglected for the past week. I actually was on track to maintain the “post once every two or three days” schedule that I had fallen into since the new year started, that is until the Scheiβen hit the proverbial Lüfter on Friday.

Pizza Huh?

January 15, 2009January 15, 2009 Chief Oddball

The developers of a new shopping plaza in Nanjing, China have done something amusing to attract the eyes of tourists, business prospects and gullible westerners alike. Rather than stick with plain vanilla facades on storefronts that have yet to be leased, they’ve created a “virtual mall” of parody shops and merchandise, taken after those of real businesses.

Sunday Slacking

January 11, 2009January 11, 2009 Chief Oddball

Finally, another Sunday has arrived, that coveted day of the week on which I (usually) do no work. I put in some time at the office yesterday, managing to wrap up another two Flash videos, leaving 10 more to go. Some additional components of an ongoing sidework project arrived, but I’ll save them for tomorrow; the deadline is still two and a half weeks away.

Nostalgia

January 9, 2009January 9, 2009 Chief Oddball 6 Comments

The weather here in Thailand has been different this week. After nearly two straight weeks of rain, the sun came out, the cool breezes returned, and the wooden doors of our house finally started closing more easily again. I, however, was affected in a way more profound than simply not having to smell mildew in the open-air bathroom anymore.

Looking Out For Number 1

January 5, 2009August 10, 2012 Chief Oddball

This is going to be one of those rare politically-themed entries, so be forewarned. As we Americans prepare for the inauguration of our newly-elected president, I’d like for everyone to take a few deep, calming breaths. Because you’re not going to have time to stop and collect yourselves when the new Congress gets in session and starts trying to legislate from the bully pulpit, which — mark my words — is exactly what’s coming.

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009

January 3, 2009January 3, 2009 Chief Oddball

Here’s something I don’t do on this blog very often: a meme. A couple of days late given the subject matter, but better than nothing. Besides, this year I really am going to try to post more. 😉 1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Sawasdee Bee Mai

January 1, 2009January 1, 2009 Chief Oddball 4 Comments

Sawasdee bee mai (happy new year) from Apple and me here in Thailand. We’ve finally rid ourselves of 2008, in which approximately 70% of the world fell apart, or at least that’s how it seems from the cornucopia of apocalyptic headlines that flew past our eyes during the last twelve months.

Lockout

December 22, 2008December 22, 2008 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

I was just wrapping up a very productive day. At the “office,” I’d worked up a Flash video animation from start to finish and sent it off to my boss — all before anyone back home opens their email for the first time on Monday morning.