Edmonton

I am feeling very nostalgic today, and it's not entirely in a good way. So I figured I'd share a few photos of my recent trip to Edmonton, partially as a diversion from these feelings, and also because I need to keep this thing a bit more updated. Mandy was an excellent hostess, even in the middle of article-writing and supervisor meetings. I don't exactly know what I thought Edmonton would look like, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. What with the hills, water, and plethora of shopping opportunities. (seriously, who AM I with all of this consumerism talk of late?!)

We toured the UofA Campus, including the Humanities Library which has its own ballroom. Of course, being the uber geek that I am, I had to take some undercover shots while I half pretended to browse the periodical collection. Good Lord.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous for my stay, and we took advantage of it with walks down Whyte Avenue and of course, all over the West Edmonton Mall. We even saw Patrick Swayze, who was at the mall filming a Christmas movie. Kind of random, yes, but also a fun vacation spotting.

Probably one of the mall's most exciting points was having the opportunity to play Dance, Dance, Revolution. I'd heard so much about it so it was nice to have an opportunity to try it out. I sucked pretty badly (no surprise given my general lack of day-to-day coordination), but Mandy was a superstar. We also learned how to play by watching two teenage girls just give'r on DDR. I didn't know feet could move that quickly.

Don't be hatin' on my glitter

Facebook vs. MySpace - Mac vs. PC style

http://news.com.com/1606-2_3-6187901.html

This one gave me a good laugh. And actually brings up a few of the things I've been pondering about the two. Such as, why is facebook so much more fun to me than MySpace, even though facebook is filled with seemingly useless and well, oftentimes boring, information about my 156 friends? and myself, for that matter.

(Sorry about that pesky commercial beforehand)

Virtual Tourism

For those of us (alright, me) who have always wanted to time travel. Audiences can see this in 3D Theatres coming to Rome this fall.

From CBC.ca:

Computer experts unveiled a digital reproduction of ancient Rome on Monday that simulates the ancient city over a span of several centuries. The simulation allows visitors to crawl through the bowels of the Colosseum, lined with lion cages, and fly up to circle the bas-reliefs and inscriptions on top of its arches at a time when the building was untouched by time.

This simulated view of the Colosseum, untouched by time, is part of the Rome Reborn project, unveiled Monday.

It cost more than $2 million US and took 10 years to create the digital model, said Bernard Frischer of the University of Virginia, who led the project."This is the first step in the creation of a virtual time machine, which our children and grandchildren will use to study the history of Rome and many other great cities around the world," Frischer said in an interview with CBC Radio.

"The idea is to show the whole urban form and evolution of the city from the first settlements in the late Bronze Age until the peak of its development in the fourth and fifth century and then the decline because of some terrible wars and the end of the Roman empire in the sixth century AD," he said.

Computer experts worked with architects and archeologists and laser scans of modern-day Rome to rebuild the entire city within its original 20-kilometre wall, using the same software architects use to design buildings.

Can I have one? Please?!

Microsoft's latest project, as profiled by Popular Mechanics:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid932579976/bclid932553050/bctid933742930

So what is surface computing? I'm still wrapping my head around it, but it's basically a way that one or more people can interact with multiple objects, users, and content all at the same time, by using a flat monitor that looks like it's sitting on top of a coffee table. For example, you can set your digital camera on it and your photos will automatically be downloaded in front of you. It'll read your PDA, help you navigate maps, allow you to work collaboratively as a storyboard, etc. etc. And it doesn't use a mouse - touch screen to a whole new level.

My very sparsely furnished apartment is in desperate need of a cofee table - perhaps this would do the trick?

If you want some more information on this one, go right to the source: Microsoft Surface.

Ontario mishmash

I got to meet the absolutely gorgeous Miss Cailey, at left, and see our little sumo wrestler walker, Hayden, who has gotten so big!

As you can see, it was a whirlwind trip. Of course, I documented each person I saw!

Had an icecream date with my Oxford County girls - Ms. Marshall and the new Dr. Liz - followed by picking up a very tanned Marie at the train station.

We also took a family history driving tour while I was home, and visited Beck's General Store, where my great-great Uncle Johnny and his wife lived and work for many years.

And of course, there was just plain requisite silliness on this visit, complete with Elisha and Shannon going incognito behind some flora and fauna.