2010 Rocket City FurMeet

Well gang, I had a couple firsts recently. I got my first official press/media credentials ...and I got them at my first Furry fandom convention, The Rocket City FurMeet. Couldn't have happened at a nicer place! Seriously.

RCFM was my fourth con since getting into the scene in 2008 with Crisis Con (then in it's first year). From then to now, I've met and gotten familiar with the Steampunks, Brown Coats (Firefly), Gothic Lolita set, Anime fans, and the 501st Star Wars folks. Even met a Neko or two. One group I still had no clue about was Furries, even after hanging out with a few on Second Life. Rocket City FurMeet was the perfect place to go learn about this enthusiast group. In short, I was pleasently surprised.

First off, since this was my first press credit, Alexander Katz, head of security, was kind enough to give me a guided tour and offer some insight into Furry fandom. Not only did I get to meet the polite and pleasant security, but I was introduced to several of the artists and vendors in the Dealer's Den. Had a great time talking with folks on everything from digitrade (back-swept Satyr type legs) to the new Worgen player models soon to be in World of Warcraft. (oh you bet there were some WoW players in the house.) Even met a fellow who was a former Battle Bots roboteer, and had battled Grant Imahara (of Mythbusters). Not only did he have some great stories to tell about one of my all-time favorite shows, but SOLion had some absolutely wicked high tech adapted into his fur suits for sale. Enhanced hearing, night vision, and a facial expression tracking systems that worked similarly to the robot arms on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. He also designed an air cooling rig that worked on the same ideal as a cool suit for a NASA space suit. Turns out, there are soldiers in Afghanistan using a modified version of his design. This tech was originally designed to keep a fur suiter from over-heating.

Speaking of which, any costumer, be they Ren Faire to Anime, needs a place to sit down and cool off other than a hotel room. The next stop on the tour was "The Headless Room" for con goers. This along with a well stocked con suite were nice touches. The latter was set up make sure people were decently hydrated and fed, because, as we all know, it's easy to forget to eat. Ah, but RCFM took things a step further by having a free pizza night. As many slices as you want, in addition to the great selection of free snacks and drinks. Thought this was a welcome plus on several levels.

Next stop was an auction to raise money for a local animal rescue charity. Yes! These folks do charity work! Various bits of art among other things were auctioned. Alexander also clued me in on a fun tradition called "The Wheel of Blame" as well as taking a random guest and making them a surprise Guest of Honor of sorts. Guests of Honor get a few extra perks to enjoy during their time at the con. Thought this was a great idea and a really fun touch.

After the auction, my guide had to make the rounds, so it was time to wander. Now, at this point I'm sure you're wondering what it was really like to walk around amongst the Furries. Ever been to a theme park and took a picture with a mascot? Same thing. Pleasant, friendly, comical, and respectful. Sorry folks, no seething perverse orgies of public lust here. For the record, I was treated well and never once groped or propositioned inappropriately (I didn't expect to be in the first place). While there was a small quantity of adult artwork, it was quite clear that things were in place to keep minors away from it. Otherwise, this really was a family friendly event. No kidding. Parents and children staying in the hotel, and not part of the con, were happily taking pictures with suited con goers. Even a wedding party took a group picture with one of the Furries. I think that says a lot, don't you?

During the wander time, I bumped into a few friends from some of the previous cons mentioned above. Turns out some of them do a version of the mermaid suit thing...that actually functions in water! I had to see this thing called Monotail, so after some break time, we met at the hotel pool for an impromptu demo. It's basically a single diver fin with two slots for feet and a spandex sheath that goes from waist to ankles, or over the fin. Just like with the exceptional detail and creativity of other costumes seen in the day, I was fascinated. There's a lot of themeing possibilities with this kind of costume, and it was just plain cool to watch these folks swim. Heh, now I can say I hung out with mermaids too. ;)

From start to finish, Rocket City FurMeet was a joy. As an enthusiast of a different sort, I really connected with the zest for details, masterful artistry, and fun. Just like I LOVE my themeparks, Furries love their costumes and they strike as very similar to Ren Faire folks. There's a similar playfulness and good spirit that even this year's featured convention artist, XianJaguar, exemplifies. (Her work graces the RCFM website and more can be seen at http://www.xianjaguar.com/)

Think you might want to channel your inner animal? Then check out: http://www.rcfm.net/ for more info.

Big thanks to Alexander Katz and company at Rocket City FurMeet for excellent hospitality and for being my teachers this day.

Soul Burger Cafe Returns!

In April of 2009, I went out to lunch with the guys at my old work. We stopped at a Mom & Pop place called Soul Burger that we'd heard really good things about. The burgers were phenomenal! And then it closed. Needless to say, I was bummed. Seriously bummed. For those interested, you can read about that day here.

It gives me great pleasure to share that Cathy Briggs and Soul Burger are BACK! Thanks to a tip from a friend (props to you Barry), Soul Burger Cafe has found a new home at the Huntsville Athletic Club on Leeman Ferry road, and the burgers are just as tasty as ever.

Ms. Briggs was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule and share a little history about Soul Burger. She told me about when she and her family would go to a certain hamburger place that had just wonderful food. She wanted to come close to that same level of greatness. Ms. Briggs said it took a while to get things just right, (especially The Love), but whenever she cooked, the neighborhood children would come running and line up once they caught the heavenly smell. All it took was a whiff. The idea was simple: bring back the good ole days. Needless to say, with a Huntsville cult following and a growing fan list by the hour, she succeed.

In the time I was at the cafe Friday night, a steady stream of folks came in for burgers, including a couple first timers. Oh yes, The Virgin Bell rang out yet again for a little kid trying his first Soul Burger. Another gentleman I spoke with said with a big smile, "I've heard a lot about this. I'm fired up!"

I was fired up too. Many times I've mentioned what a great burger I had and how much I missed it. Yes, they're just as good as ever and in my top two. (A Mr. Tom Diaso's bachelor party burgers hold the other top spot). The Soul Sauce is also back and WOW did it have a kick! Truly, a little dab will do you, whether you're an experienced buffalo wings fan or not. I think I saw Elvis...

Ms. Briggs was just as sweet and friendly as ever, often calling folks "Cutey Patootie" with a warm grin and boundless energy. Yes folks, still very much the soul of Soul Burger. Also a shining example of customer service.

To Cathy Briggs and Soul Burger, a warm and heartfelt welcome back! :)

Also a special hello to the two enthusiastic ladies I met at the cafe. Hope you all enjoyed. :)

Do YOU want to experience "The Love"? Check out http://www.soulburgercafe.com/ for more tender, juicy info.

App-centric

In the last few weeks I've had a chance to scour the multitude of apps for iPhone/Touch. Great googly moogly there's a ton of them! On EVERYTHING. That said, I thought it would be fun to share what I carry around and just some general observations. So here ya go:

• WDW Park Hours - Free and very helpful for planning time with the mouse. There is a paid version, sans ads and this is one of a suite by the same maker.
• WDW Wait Times - Free and most helpful for plotting your credit run in or before you hit the Disney Parks. There is a paid version, sans ads and this is one of a suite by the same maker.
• Six Flags Fun Finder - A handy way to call up maps to all the Six Flags parks along with hours and events. Also free.
• Toy Story Mania - A fun adaptation of the the Toy Story Mania rides and good collection of mini games. If you like the ride, Disney, or both, you'll enjoy this one and think it's well worth the $4.99.
• AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) - Free chat along with centralizing posts from Facebook, Twitter, etc. Some ads, but nothing that gets in the way terribly.
• Skype - Solid adaptation of the program and works well on iPhone/Touch. Very good sound quality. Would like to see integrated push chat for sending links during voice conversations. Could we see video chat if/when the iPhone 4g with rumored front camera comes to pass? Also free.
• Mapquest - I've used these folks for years to plan trips and having the same directions on a mobile is a big help. Can't wait to try this with iPhone's GPS functions. Free.
• Google Earth - Just like the regular version with a neat little twist to rotate function as well and the pinch and stretch features. Very responsive. Free.
• Career Builder Jobs - This has been helpful in my job hunt and made applying very very easy...almost fun? (looks around). Free.
• Starbucks - Being able to find Starbucks locations and see the food and coffee menus has been really handy. A must if you're a coffee or Starbuck's fan. Free.
• Starbucks Mobile Card - If you have a Starbuck's gift card, this app let's you carry that info with you and swipe your iPhone/Touch at many locations. Would LOVE to see other restaurants, etc. do this with their gift cards. Great idea! Free.
• Citysearch - Really handy for finding restaurants, clubs, and entertainment in an unfamiliar city. Free.
• Twitter - Since I use Twitter a bunch, this was a must although, there doesn't seem to be any advantage to the app verses a site bookmark. Even so, Twitter needed direct representation in the app world. Free.
• Facebook - This is another one I use a bunch. While it takes a little bit to get where everything is, it's a solid tool. Free.
• U.S. NEXRAD - A very good and simple radar for keeping up on storms. This one has been really handy of late. (Matter of fact, I'm using right now as I type this.)Well worth the 99 cents.
• Star Wars FX - I like Star Wars (big shock there) and this was just random fun for 99 cents. Would love to see a Droids or R2-D2 soundboard for us robot fans. Hint hint...
• Darth Vader Soundboard - This was just another random fun Star Wars impulse. Makes me want a TomTom GPS for the Vader voice. Also want to use this on the next telemarketer who calls (insert eeeevil laugh here). 99 cents.
• Spice Dice from Durex - The virtual version of those adult love dice party games you see in some stores. Puts the accelerometer to good use for rolling the dice (and yes it looks wrong in just the way you're thinking). Also offers product links and romantic tips. Basically it's a Durex ad. Yep, definitely not for kids. Free.

Suffice to say, all the above have been put to good use and merit a positive mention. Hey, with only 8 gig on the Touch, I have to be picky about what stays on it.

Hope these musings have been both entertaining and helpful. I've had a good time writing about them. Cheers! :)

A Good Sign

$10 inspiration from out of the blue tonight. Jackpot! :)

Java ME SDK 3.0

Danger Will Robinson! Danger Will Robinson! Techno geek speak and more acronyms than a week at Space Camp ahead.

As you can tell, things have slowed down quite a bit since I got back from Florida. There's a couple reasons for this. Really, there's just not much going on in my world as the job hunt plods forward. I'm also spinning up on some new tech to refocus my career. The new tech is Java ME.

Just like with Orlando, I recently quit talking and started doing. And, just like Orlando, learning Java ME is a big challenge with no idea how it will come out. Regardless, I'm really choosing something interesting verses picking something out of desperation for financial stability. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy 3D modeling and had several good experiences with it, but hind-sight being what it is, I should've gone web or programming instead. My last few weeks at my old job were spent training on ActionScript and Flash. While those specific languages aren't my favorites, the fact that it was programming, was very enjoyable.

That said, Java Micro Edition Software Development Kit 3.0 has been it's own adventure in a very different wrapper. Where I'm used to a typical language like C or C++ with code, some libraries, and a compiler, Java ME, though based on C++, etc, has a more complicated way. Java ME uses the "virtual machine" to be able to run on any computer, beit PC, Mac, or HAL 9000. (Just seeing if you were paying attention.) It also uses a few different "platforms" (in this case, emulated cell phones) to write and test software. Java ME, by the way, is one of several languages being used on mobile devices and may find it's way into smart appliances, TV OS's, etc. Aaaand, there are several different variations for certain jobs, and they all link up with each other. It's like saying you want to learn how to use a hammer, and someone hands you ten of them and they're all slightly different. You know you want the hammer to drive a nail, but sorting out which hammer drives it the best way is the trick. This hammer's blue. That hammer doesn't have a claw on the back. This hammer is a cleverly disguised +2 mace and let's you sprout multiple tentacles at will. You get the idea. This is exactly what I'm going through while learning. Well, minus the tentacle part.

Now, to make things MORE complicated, each platform supports particular connection standards and not every platform supports the same ones. Again, this is goes back to the hammer analogy but with multiple Beta verses VHS standards. Heh, I'm showing my age here. Try HD DVD verses BluRay. (Now the light bulbs come on.) Remember, over the past 12 years I've worked with C, C++, Visual C++, Visual Basic, VBScript, AppleScript, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, XML, ActionScript/Flash, HyperCard, and Unix. Even with all those reference points, Java ME is STILL bewildering! I still like the potential in the language and see several directions to go with it. Oh, it's going to royally kick my ass, but I'll learn quite a bit between aneurysms. ;)

The goal here is simple: Take what I've learned from using Blackberry, iPod Touch, and Java ME, and program for mobile devices. Games? Possibly. Social apps? Could be. Artificial Intelligence coupled with voice recognition or other robotic influences? Maybe so.

Now that there are some entrenched standards and the foundation to the mobile arena has been layed, it's a good time to jump in. There's a ton of potential and likely some radical technical shifts in how we do things day to day. Blackberrys, iPhones, and Droids, are just the beginning. To a gadget hound like me, it's worth learning and growing in these new directions, even at the cost of re-training and almost starting from scratch.

One last bit of food for thought here. In the past year and a half, this blog has served not only as a creative/artistic expression, but as a test area and learning tool with some of the above in mind. It's a perfect excuse to learn as well as keep the media skills sharp. Yes friends, there's method to my madness. Whether or not I'll sprout tentacles, remains to be seen. ;)

Well Wishes

First, Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mom's out there. You're still very much needed and loved and all the things you've done thoughout the years really are appreciated. Hope it's a happy day for you all and your families.

Second, congratulations and a special shout out to all the Clarion folks in Orlando Florida this weekend. Knock 'em dead when you all perform at Downtown Disney today! With you all in spirit. Have a wonderful time.

Third, to the Orlando folks, miss you all a bunch. You have no idea. Hope to join the iPhone club in a few months. :)

Free Comic Day with the 501st and Dixie Derby Girls

So what do you get when you combine free comics, Star Wars, and roller derby? You get a memorable and fun time at a local Huntsville comic shop with some really stellar people. Plus you know it's gonna be a good time when you pass a couple Ghostbusters on the way in.

I'd been looking forward to meeting the 501st Alabama Garrison troopers after a couple of brushes with other members of the group at cons this past year. Throw in the mix that a high school buddy of mine I hadn't seen in years, joined recently, and there was even more excitement. Naturally, the Alabama Garrison folks were all too happy to discuss the creativity behind their outfits and props. They even let me handle a blaster or two, while pointing out some of the details. Meanwhile little kids and their equally excited Dads walked up to get pictures with the Imperial detachment. I remember that same giddy look from when I was a kid and got Darth Vader's autograph. And that's only a small part of the magic the 501st generates with it's various public and charity appearences. Oh, and they absolutely enjoy what they do.

Also had the opportunity to meet the Dixie Derby Girls. For those who don't know, the sport of roller derby that was popular in the 70's and 80's is making a comeback in a new flat track format. Asian Invasion, was kind enough answer questions about the sport and how it works. Turns out, the idea is to get the Jammer (sort of the girl with the ball if you will) to pass the other team's blockers to score points. The more you pass 'em, the more points your team gets. Keep in mind, the other side has the same idea here, hence all the contact. The difference between 70's banked track and today's flat track is that much of the beat down and railing tossing is taken out. But don't kid yourself. There may not be bodies flying (yet), but it does get intense, and these ladies (who come from all different professions, educations and walks of life) WILL dish the pain. Asian Invasion, Nookie Monster (best name ever!), Zan Axe (of the blank shirt), and Missy B. Haven, amongst others, were great fun to talk with. Thank you all, not only for a hilarious group photo, but for being my teachers this day.

Meanwhile, inside The Deep, there were plenty of comics, collectable figures, and the like to be had. Saw several networked pc's for various games...like...oh....say.....World of Warcraft or the like. If that's not your gig, there were tables for card battle games in amongst the Dixie Derby Girls doing face painting. Outside was some side walk chalk drawing for the little kids.

Of course there was the costumed group shot in front of the store that erupted into laughter when one of the Storm Troopers said "Hold on, I think I blinked...".

Definitely good times with these two groups and would come visit this annual event again. Thanks to everyone for their good cheer and hospitality!

Are these really the droids you're looking for? Does the Dark Side REALLY have cookies (that have possibly been stolen by the Light Side)? Peruse these links, you should. Answer your questions, they will. Yes. Hmm...:

501st Legion Alabama Garrison - http://www.al501st.com/
Dixie Derby Girls Roller Derby League - http://www.dixiederbygirls.com/
The Deep Comics - http://www.deepcomics.com/news.php