Random Thoughts 12/19/08

• Were you wondering what films were being praised by professional film critics? Me neither. But here's a good collection of year end film lists. Most of these films are pretty depressing fare, or so I've heard, but there are a few good words for films like WALL-E and Ironman.
• You've also been asking for a short history lesson on Muslim piracy (like today's Somali pirates) from the U.S. Naval Institute… well, here you go.
• Thanks, David T., for pointing out the obvious with my stereo input, 3.5mm jack issue. It worked like a charm and I can't believe I didn't think of the obvious solution, especially when I did the exact same thing a couple of years ago with my office stereo. Oh, yeah… now I remember.
• Did you see the X-47B? It's a robot jet fighter, or more technically, a UCAV (unmanned combat air vehicle) for the Navy. It's stealthy, can take off and land from aircraft carriers, can refuel mid-air, and fight on its own. Wow. Very Sci-fi.
  
• Tanner's birthday was yesterday; what a good day we had! One of his gifts was Mario Kart Wii, which has already turned out to be an even better game then I expected. Besides that, four-player games go over well in our house with dad and the older three boys playing together–lots of fun on days when it's 10º outside!
  
• We're losing daylight! Call Al Gore!
• Global warming, er… I mean Climate Change logic explained.
• Chad Meyers probably won't have a job at CNN after uttering sacrilege and blasphemies on air. RECANT YOU HERETIC!!!
  
• Let's see a helicopter do that! If you like aviation, the CV-22 Osprey is beyond cool.
• …and they'll keep counting until Al Franken (D-SNL) wins.
• Component video cables for the Wii at the store: $20-50. Component video cables for the Wii (off-brand) on eBay: $6.27 with free shipping.