Matsu’s World: The One Less Traveled

It is interesting how much one learns of themselves by interacting with others. Yes, by interacting with people around you it helps you see yourself better and therefore you end up knowing yourself.

In the past several years I’ve worked with a person who has brought into focus the amount of influence my upbringing has affected my personality and character. I grew up in Japan. In fact, I spent most of the first 18 years of my life there, with the exception of three times when we lived in America for a year each time while on furlough. Well, the oriental influence on me is inescapable. And, this co-worker has been like a highly reflective mirror and given me a better view of myself and how I’ve been shaped by the oriental influences of my childhood.

One of the characteristics of oriental society is subtle communication. So, when I saw this photo posted on the Kyoto Daily Photo blog, I laughed out loud. It typifies how subtle the Japanese people can be, and by extension, how I am at times. The theme for the July 1st daily photo blog photos is “no.” The assignment is to take photos of signs that say “no” or “not permitted.” So, the photo of a walking path of large stepping stones with a single smaller stone sitting atop the first step means, “do not enter,” in the social language of Japan. That is a wonderful example of how small and subtle communication is in Japan — and while it’s subtle, I find it also to be crystal clear and almost obvious. But, that’s just because I think in those same terms.

So, thank you Bert for giving me a better view of myself and through that awareness, making this photograph that much more meaningful and amusing.

Disclaimer: The photo used in this post has nothing to do with the Kyoto Daily Photo blog. I wanted to use the stone path photo, but I didn’t have permission. Therefore, I found a good friend’s photo on the Wilmore Daily Photo blog site and used it without his permission. Hey, what is a friend going to do, sue me? Oh, oh! He seems to be tight with the local police. Maybe I should reconsider my attititude!

Yup, Apple is finally shipping a database for the rest of us. Yesterday they released a new product called Bento by FileMaker.

As you may know, FileMaker is an Apple company that provides database software designed for small to medium sized businesses. Now, they are selling a new $50 database product for individuals who want to track collections of things or just plan a party.

This product fills a whole in Microsoft’s offering as Office for Mac doesn’t include database software. Now, Mac users have a database program that will fill that need. I wonder how well it integrates with Microsoft Word or Excel.

By the way, did you know that “bento” means “lunch box” in Japanese? It does.

I haven’t installed the demo yet, but I will do it this week and let you know what I what I find out about integration with Microsoft’s office software.

My wife and I alternate where we celebrate Thanksgiving each year. One year we have thanksgiving with my parents and extended family, then the next year we do the same with my wife’s family. This year it’s my wife’s turn, so we traveled to Georgia to spend time with my Relatives-In-Law.

We drove to Atlanta, Georgia, and spent Thanksgiving Day with Uncle Robert and his family. They had all gathered at cousin Paul’s new home just outside of Atlanta. We had a great time. Both the meal and the company were wonderful. After we ate and talked for a little while, we all went out to the backyard where Paul and his brother, Adam, and Brother-In-Law, Dan, set up an old-fashioned rope and tire swing. The children almost enjoyed it as much as the adults did.

One surprising discovery was when I learned about Paul’s work. He helped to start a brand new company (Stone Mountain Media) that specializes in LED sculpture technology. At first, I didn’t understand how it was possible to do what he said his company did, but after he explained it, I believed it could be done. (Of course, it is being done, it’s just so cool that my mind had a hard time believing it, not that I didn’t believe Paul. He is very credible.)

Paul’s company designs and makes high-tech sculptures. They really look amazing. The entire outer surface (skin?) of the sculpture is made up of LED lights that can display a of video image. If I understood correctly, the software can perform realtime ‘magic’ to display video across the surface of the sculpture to either look normal or to let it be distored (wrapped) acround the scupture/art. I hope I am not overstating what it does, because it was not completely clear to me how it worked. When you hear him explain how it is done and how the technology works, it sounds easy. But when you see it, you wonder at the blending of art and technology (it’s both art and technology or maybe neither - very difficult to categorize).

I searched the Internet for images of his work (he told me about several places all over the world where they have installed their art/technology). But, I couldn’t find anything and I don’t remember the names of the companies that already purchased (commissioned?) his product/art - but one was a health spa in Japan. I do remember the names of companies that he is in the process of proposing new projects, but since he is still negotiating, it would not be appropriate to mention those projects. If one particular commission (sale?) takes place, it will be placed in a high traffic area that will be seen by millions of people each year.

If do find out where a sample of Paul’s technology art work is on the net, I’ll post a link. Or, I’ll try to get Paul to send me a photo of one of his sculptures.

Update: I did find this article about one of Paul’s LED projects that he did for a casino. A photo of that project can be found here.

What do you get when you cross a YouTube like website with educational ‘how to’ videos? Easy, you get the new VideoJug website.

Learn how to fold a shirt, or eat sushi, or even maintain your bicycle.

The quality may not be the best because they are homemade videos, but every video teaches you how to do something. So, forget watching dumb people perform stupid stunts on YouTube and head over to VideoJug to learn something useful. You will be glad you did.

Last night I attended a showing of Mi:3, the third in what I hope is a trilogy of Mission Impossible movies. The theater was packed with IT people, because it was a 'geeks go free night' sponsored by APC. Yes, I attended a vendor paid APC promotion while my own giant (30 kVA) UPS is broken back In my server room.

When I watched the first movie, many years ago, I was largely disappointed. No, I did not grow up on Mission Impossible TV episodes (they were not available on Japanese TV), though I did see one or two as a child. But, that was not it. I was disappointed in that first movie because the plot was so disjointed and action seemed to be there simply because it was expected to be there. It was sort of like cooking a bunch of ingredients that you really like individually and you expect to have something that is better than the sum of its parts. But, when you are done, it's horrible tasting. That was the first movie.

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