It took me a couple of months, but I finally finished The Da Vinci Code and I've got to say that it was an amazing journey. I was a bit hesitant to read this book because it seemed so cliche that everyone was reading it, but I'm glad that I got it for Christmas because it is definitely one of the best books I've ever read. Why? Because as great as classic books are I'm always hungry for a writing style that pulls you in and never lets you go. That's part of what I like about Stephen King. Dan Brown writes the book like the story never stops and his relatively short chapters makes it easy to swallow the book piecemeal. The premise of the book is that the curator of the Louvre museum in Paris has been murdered but he left some strange clues, which end up being taken up as a puzzle by American symbologist Robert Langdon and DCPJ Agent Sophie Neveu. There's much more to it than that but I don't want to give it away. The amount of research Brown did for this book was incredible and the way he constructs the whole puzzle is masterful. I applaud that he's done such a great job of getting people exciting about reading and also about thinking. This is what Harry Potter for adults is like I think. My old Latin professor, Doug, doesn't want to read the book because of the principles on which it was written since it was written like a screenplay. But whatever it is, it's great fun so pick up the illustrated edition ASAP.
I think I have a few worthwhile techie articles to convey. If you're an iPod owner, have you ever wondered if the shuffle feature was rigged to favor certain artists? Is there a huge conspiracy? It turns out that the feature really is random and despite some buzz about it, it's totally impartial. A VP at Microsoft recently spoke at an IT conference to encourage young girls to get into IT. The enrollment of the fairer sex in MIS and CS even at UT is rather slim and it's nice to encourage them but it almost sounds like some groups try to give them some sort of favored status. That comment isn't specific to that article. I mean I do want more women to join CS because it would certainly make my life more interesting, but I think after they get an initial hand that they should handle it like the rest of us. Bill Gates is actually aiming a little higher by criticizing high schools for not teaching students what they need to know today. I'm surprised the college dropout has an opinion! However, I do think it is important for high schools to reinforce study skills necessary for college so I hope that politics don't get in the way of children's well being. Oh and those of you who know what a Marsenne prime is might want to know that the 42nd one has been found. I wonder how long it will be until the next?
I have some juicy movie news today. Casino Royale director Martin Campbell has all but confirmed that the next Bond will be Julian McMahon (think Nip/Tuck). He seems to have advanced to the front line, but he's no Brosnan! The sexy Scarlett Johnassen has been cast in an upcoming romantic comedy called Forget About It that almost sounds similar to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It's about a woman who fakes amnesia to avoid her responsibilities, and it sounds like a step down from her normal calibur of movies. David H. Steinberg, creator of Puss N' Boots in Shrek 2, has been bankrolled by MGM to write a spinoff movie featuring the loveable cat and though it doesn't sound so good to me it could theoretically turn out well. I also have some pretty videos to dazzle you guys. A new internet-only trailer for Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has now been put online and fans have to check it out. It's narrated by the Guide in a humorous light and starts out like the other trailers but then starts showing new scenes that look kinda cool. Yahoo! put up some exclusive clips from The Jacket and I really hope that it helps out Keira Knightley's career because I think she's an underestimated actress. FilmForce put up an exclusive clip of their own, but thei's is for Be Cool. The clip unfortunately doesn't make me all that excited for the movie but I really did want the movie to turn out well so let's just wait and see. Now that the Independent Spirit awards are done with, don't forget to watch the Oscars tonight at 7PM on ABC.
You're finally nearing the end of the post. I wanted to plug this article about the crushing impact of OPEC on its smaller members because it's one of those global economic issues that a lot of people never think about. If you've ever dreamed of HD movie theaters then buy your ticket to the UK and prepare to be amazed by their upcoming network of 250 screens where they'll play movies off of portable, secure hard drives. I wonder if it'll come to America if it does well? And this post wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention my excitement over the release of Devil May Cry 3. IGN gave is a very high score and a 10 for gameplay. For those of you who don't know, IGN is very strict on rating PS2 games so this is a huge deal and the game sounds awesome. Supposedly everything you asked for in the first game was answered: more variety in fighting style, smarter enemies, even cooler combos, harder levels, and funner bosses is just the start of that list. I cannot express in words how much I want this game. I'm going to just let the picture I want to exhibit speak for itself:
I hope everyone is ready for some Unconscious Mutterings:
I say ... and you think ... ?
- You’ve got a friend:: That overplayed song from Toy Story
- Immigration:: Bosnian refugees (no idea why)
- Waitress:: Cute girl in a short skirt I suppose
- Snickers:: Hungry? Why Wait?
- Recognize:: Cognosco, cognoscere, cognovi, cognitus, -a, -um (Latin)
- Concept:: Sweet looking cars that aren't made yet
- Birthday:: Free drinks on 6th street when I turn 21 =D
- Told you so:: Annoying
- Unlikely:: A cure for cluttering
- Extension:: Those exercises at the gym that really hurt (leg and back)
Oh and sorry that I didn't post yesterday, but I didn't have much time to. I will be posting tomorrow though of course around 7 or 8PM.
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