Apple iPad - Just released today!

First impressions:

• A blown up iPod Touch, geared more for casual users who is looking for something between a Macbook and an iPhone/iTouch.
• Should have came with a camera for video conferencing, iChat/Skype calls. This will most likely come out with the second generation iPad
• iPad sounds too much like iPod.
• Screen looks awesome as usual
• I will most likely pass on this one and wait for the second generation
  

Pricing 

Wi-Fi

16GB - $499US

32GB - $599US

64GB - $699US

Wi-Fi + 3G

16GB - $629US

32GB - $729US

64GB - $829US

Technical Specs

Size and weight

Height: 9.56 inches (242.8 mm) 
Width: 7.47 inches (189.7 mm)  
Depth: 0.5 inch (13.4 mm)  
Weight: 1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model
             1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

Final Fantasy 13 (FFXIII) - March 9, 2010

The latest Final Fantasy installment, Final Fantasy XIII ($59.99US) from Square Enix is just right around the corner. For those of you who haven't seen the trailer, check out the video below. As expected, awesome looking game play and phenomenal graphics and animations.


Release Date: March 9, 2010
MSRP: $59.99 USD
Platforms: PS3, X360
ESRB: T
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix

World's Most Expensive Earphones - Ultimate Ears

If you have the money to burn and want the best earphones ever created, it will cost you about ten times more the cost of your iPod. A company called Ultimate Ears, a division of Logitech has released the Ultimate Ears 18 Pro Custom Monitors ($1150US) that promises to deliver a six-speaker system that fits in an earphone casing. It includes new technologies like a new cable built for durability and reduced distortion, three acoustically tuned sound channels, and multiple passive crossover points creating the ultimate in separation, detail, and clarity.

The earphones can be ordered in a variety of colors and can even be customized with artwork, which I'm sure will add to the total cost. Here are some examples of what celebrities have ordered:

Brian Vollmer of Helix

LeBron James - Cleveland Cavaliers

Paula Abdul

 

Kobe Bryant - LA Lakers

Nikki Sixx - Motley Crue

Melissa Etheridge

Jordan 23 Basketball Limited Edition

Just something cool to post to end the night...
"Wanna be like Mike? Add this Nike Limited Edition Jordan 23 Basketball ($150US) to your short list. Only 2323 of the full-grain leather balls are being made, featuring the trademark Jumpman on the side, and a graphic chronicling his Airness' triumphs wrapping around." -- Uncrate

Lasercut design detail on full-grain leather.

Comes in a collector 23 Jumpman Box with a velvet protective bag. Now all it needs is an autograph.

Vancouver: Life Half a Century Ago - Photos by Fred Herzog

Here is a look at Vancouver in the 1950's and 1960's through the eyes of acclaimed German photographer, Fred Herzog. Herzon is the only photographer with a comprehensive body of documentary/art photography of Vancouver in existence, and yet in color. He has a color book available titled Fred Herzog: Vancouver Photographs

Herzog immigrated to Canada from Germany following World War II. While employed as a medical photographer in Vancouver, his passion for photography took him on evenings and weekends to the streets to document daily life.  It was there he captured the subtle human gestures of everyday people, savoring every moment in perfect light. The unique public space that he so carefully cataloged with glimmering lights and psychedelic neon has since been replaced by big-name retailers and cookie-cutter storefronts.  - Laurence Miller Gallery

Above is a colored photograph of shoppers on Robson Street in 1957.

Granville and Robson. 1959

 Hastings and Columbia. 1958

 

Hub and Lux. East Hastings and Pender Street. 1958

 

White Lunch Restaurant. West Hastings. 1959

West End view from Burrard Bridge. 1957

Granville Street view from Granville Bridge. 1966

Granville and Smythe. 1958

 

Howe and Nelson, 1960

Main Street. 1968

Hastings Street, 1968

Here is a view of the West End from Granville Bridge in 1957

And here is a view of West End from Granville Bridge in 2004.

Heavy Rain - Preview: "Most Anticipated Game of 2010" for the PS3

For those of you who want to take a break on your MW2's and other shoot-'em-up games that has gained even more popularity recently, get ready for the most anticipated game of this year: Heavy Rain.

Heavy Rain is a cinematic and evolving thriller from Quantic Dream, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Fahrenheit. Dealing with a range of adult themes, the game revolves around a sophisticated plot and strong narrative threads that explore a complex moral proposition. You assume the role of multiple characters, with very different backgrounds, motivations and skills, in a world shaped by Bending Storylines - a dynamic narrative design where your actions and decisions will shape your story. --IGN

Heavy Rain ($56.99US) is set to release on February 23, 2010. After reading through various previews and press releases, the game sums up to be like a blockbuster thriller but the difference is that you get to control the outcome of the movie based on your actions and decisions you make throughout the game. Based on the screen shots, trailers and videos, the game boasts breath taking and realistic graphics, movie quality soundtrack and an overall cinematic feel that game fans are sure to enjoy. Enough talk, just watch the official trailer and check out the screen shots.

 

 

 

Release Date: February 23, 2010
MSRP: $59.99
Exclusively on: PlayStation 3
ESRB: RP-M+
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Quantic Dream

Features

• An evolving thriller in which you shape the story
• Mature content, reflecting a realistic world setting that explores powerful themes
• Stunning graphics, animation and technology support an emotionally driven experience
• Accessible gameplay via intuitive, contextual controls and interface

The Truth About Bottled Water

Dessert Wine - Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port

Nothing like ending a long work week with a perfect glass of dessert wine. I was introduced by a good friend of mine to ports only a couple of years ago. It didn't really wow me at first but as soon as I purchased my first bottle, I was hooked! I've tried other makes and types but I still go back to my trusty Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port.

I don't consider myself a wine connoisseur but I do know what good taste is. I've recommended this port to family and friends and they all keep coming back for more. It's not considered an expensive wine but at $40 US, I don't recommend chugging it down at one sitting (although I have been tempted to many times).

The hardest part is to describe how this tastes like: it is sweet but not too sweet but has a little thicker consistency than your average red wine. It has a rich and balanced flavorful smell with aromas of raisins, peaches, honey, nuts, mocha and oak. Perfect as a dessert wine at the end of a meal or by itself.
It also comes in a 10 year bottle which isn't as good, and a 40 year one that is way too expensive.

Give this one a try! You won't regret it. Or you can buy a bottle or two for me!

Category: Port
Region: Douro Valley, Portugal
Producer: Taylor Fladgate
Volume: 750ml
Alcohol: 20%
Price: $40US / $65CAD

Serving suggestions: It is an excellent accompaniment to many deserts. It combines well with flavours of figs, almonds and caramel. It is an excellent compliment for a crème brulée or a plate of wild strawberries. It may also be appreciated on its own, at the end of the meal, with walnuts or dried fruit.


Make sure to enjoy it the right way with a Riedel Vinum Port Glass ($38US for a set of 2) to take advantage of its full taste and aroma.

Mayweather ducks again! - The Pacquiao - Mayweather Saga Continues

He's done it again! Floyd "Prettyboy" Mayweather Jr. ducks another fighter, and this time the seven time world champion in seven different weight divisions boxing great, Manny Pacquiao.


Just to give you a recap on what has been happening in the boxing scene, Mayweather, who is undefeated with a record of 40-0-0, was set to fight Pacquiao, is today's most talked about and fan-favorite boxing star, on March 13, 2010. "The boxers, both regarded as all-time greats, had been set to meet in the richest bout in history on March 13 in Las Vegas, until Mayweather’s demands for random blood testing led to a dramatic falling-out and a lawsuit from Pacquiao to Mayweather and his team, claiming defamation.", according to Times Online, UK.

Mayweather, who is known for hand-picking his opponents who are weaker than him to avoid tarnishing his clean boxing record has wrongfully accused Pacquiao of using performance enhancing drugs, with no proof! Mayweather's camp even went as far as stating that the Philippines makes the best steroids and that Manny has access to it. I hope he wasn't reffering to balut. Pacquiao has never failed any urine test sanctioned by the Nevada State Boxing Commission.

I guess we won't be seeing this dream match, and this has left me utterly disappointed. It would have been a really good match watching two different boxing styles. I am going for Pacquiao, of course, although Mayweather is still a highly skilled boxer and should not be taken lightly. Too bad he had to stoop down to his cowardly ways and duck a great fight.

Still have my fingers crossed though, I hope this is just a huge publicity stunt to gain more hype! Bring it on!

Baked Trout with Stuffed Crab Meat

Just want to share with you all what I had for dinner tonight, my own version of stuffed trout. It is fairly easy to make (except for the de-boning part which takes practice), and here is the recipe:



Fish:
2 small rainbow trout, deboned
kosher salt

Stuffing:
1 can crab meat, strained
1/4 cup ground Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup copped onions
1 free range egg
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon paprika
melted butter

Preheat oven to 360 degrees

1) Prepare the fish by deboning it and sprinkling kosher salt, let it sit for 10 minutes
2) Mix together in a bow the crab meat, egg, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs
3) Stir fry onions, and add in crab meat mix. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste
4) Stuff trout with crab meat mixture.
5) Brush fish with melted butter and sprinkly with paprika

Bake in caserole dish for 20 mins.

World's Thinnest LCD TV at less then 7mm thin! - LG

Hair is not the only thing that is getting thinner these days. LG just announced at CES that is it coming out with a super thin LCD (or LED) TV that is only 6.99mm thin! After looking at the pictures on Engadget, here are my first impressions:

Pros:

*Yes it is thin, and the colors are vivid using the latest LED technology
*Obviously high-definition to deliver the best in picture quality
*Narrow borders to make best use of the real-estate space

Cons:

*Did you see that cube base thing the TV is sitting on? Obviously this is where the guts of the unit sits in, I'm not really digging it
*And speaking of the cube-base, how will the TV be mounted?
*I'm sure that this will carry a hefty price tag for its earlier versions

AVATAR Movie Review

I am not accustomed to writing movie reviews but I just have to share this on e. I finally watched Cameron's new blockbuster flick last night, Avatar after avoiding the first week's opening rush. Honestly when I first saw the preview a few months ago, I didn't think much of it and thought that it is just another over budget sci-fi, alien flick shrouded in CGI special effects.

Storyline was typical: power hungry humans (or some may say Americans) against the native uprising. Think of it as Gone with the Wind in outer space. Even with a cliche plot and "Avatar" concept in the likes of Bruce Willis's recent movie Surrogates, I must say that I still enjoyed the storyline and most of all the visual effects. The scenes and imagery was breath taking it and it almost seems like you are experiencing Pandora first hand. Cameron's fairly accurate representation of the science behind the movie is also pretty impressive. A book called Avatar: A Confidential Report on the Biological and Social History of Pandora (James Cameron's Avatar) is also available ($10US).

If you haven't seen it yet, I think it is worth the $12, and I highly suggest shelling out the extra $3 for the 3D version. (4/5 Stars)

The Making of Avatar: Behind the Scenes

The Shack - Home Renovations

It has been almost three years and I still haven't had the chance to post pictures of the renovations.


Here is the view of the front porch. The shrubs has just been manicured but still need some work. As you can see, the patio is wet, a typical day in BC's fall. I was thinking of adding an old wooden bench for some seating but haven't got around to doing so.

Here is the view coming in from the front door.

*Dark honey maple engineered-hardwood flooring, 12mm
*Sea grey-green walls
*Stainless industrial-look 3-way light track
*Identical abstract painting
*Italian cream leather couch
*Dual ottoman /storage unit with flipping leather lids
*Extendable wood stained dining table and chairs, seats four

An alternate view peering down into the living room.

* Wall-mounted 40" LCD TV
* Recessed lighting backlight

View from the kitchen. The blinds still need to be replaced, thinking of white engineered wooden blinds but that's going to need some saving up.

*Wooden branches in large glass vase
*Industrial "hospital" wall clock
*Straw area rug (now gone)
*White wooden picture frame ledge

The small but functional kitchen.

*Stainless steel oven
*Stainless steel dish washer
* Stainless steel high-powered exhaust
* Dark emerald granite counter top
* 90 degrees ceramic backsplash
* Stainless steel deep dual sink
* High powered garburator
* Moen stainless steel pull-faucet




Another view

*Stainless steel fridge
*Stainless steel microwave oven
*Added granite bar
*Industrial design track lighting and recessed spot light (not shown)

The hallway leading to the two bedrooms and bathroom.

*Authentic Samurai sword security system
*Solid dark wood drawer cabinet (bedroom)



The Master Bedroom.

* Glass sliding closet door with white trim
* Solid dark wood queen size bed frame and pillow top mattress
* Matching dark wood side table




The Bathroom.

* Dark wood medicine cabinet
* Designer vanity with table top ceramic sink and stainless steel faucet
* Glass shower door with stainless steel trim
* Hand held stainless steel shower head
* Energy saving space saving toilet bowl
* Ceramic 10" cream bathroom tiles
* Sea grey painted walls


I did not get to take pictures of the second bedroom but will post soon!