awesome

I got my first full-salary paycheck today, following a year and a half of half-salary, less-than-half-salary, and then piddling unemployment compensation (but thanks anyway South Carolina!). I smiled all the way to the bank to deposit my check today--after, of course, rubbing the smell of money all over myself.

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the fact that, yes, I've joined the flock on facebook. In doing so I found out that a few people are stalking fortsanders.net from there. Well, now I know who you bastards are!

In quite possibly the best news I have heard this year, Civilization 5 is slated to be released this Fall. Based on a new game engine, Civ 5 will feature a revolutionary hexagonal tile layout. Despite having my spirit crushed by the latest installments of my beloved SimCity and Railroad Tycoon franchises, I'm hopeful Civ 5 will stay true to form.

Fullscreenweather.com, a no bullshit weather map (google maps mashup) from the good folks at Weather Underground (the one website where I've been a happy paid subscriber for the last 8 years).

The Mars rover Spirit has been operational for 6 years, in spite of its 3 month projected lifespan (c.f. the Scotty Principle). However, it appears finally to be on its last leg.

Personally, I find this to be an amazing accomplishment, and it's a shame that the Mars rovers have lost their luster in the public consciousness. But while so many negative events may define the past decade, I like to think that the efforts of all the geeks at JPL and elsewhere have made a step, small as it may be, toward future extraterrestrial human existence.

I just saw Avatar in 3D IMAX, and let me be the first here to say holy shit! It's the second movie I saw in the theater this year, and it was totally worth the price and inconvenience ($14 and a packed theater, in my case). To echo what I read somewhere else, the story is basically Dances With Wolves in space--and who doesn't like that movie? Seriously, the plot and pacing are nice, and aside from the rum and liter of Diet Pepsi in my belly, it really did not feel like nearly 3 hours (this ain't no Titanic). The visual effects are amazing and immersive. Gorgeous, I'd say. Plus there's a part chicken sex, part tentacle rape scene! (You'll know it when you see it.) I give it two curmudgeon thumbs up.

click for the rest

Guy wants to virtually bike across the country. This is brilliant, though the warp transitions from photo location to location would be annoying.

I know I've raved about World of Goo before, but if you haven't seen the news in the last week or so, 2D Boy have extended their pay-what-you-want experiment through October 25. That's right, the cheapskates among you can buy a fantastic indie game (tri-platform!) for the low low price of $0.01, or even something a little more generous.

via Brad Neely

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc.

It's about damned time. To be released later this year.

Got cable internet installed at my new house today (an agonizing 3 hour experience). I was getting closer to 4Mb/s up earlier. I'm looking forward to seeing how well it performs with more... practical... applications. My ratios are going to get a healthy boost, I think.

As much as I want to keep playing on the internet right now, I need to go do some more packing and get ready for a long sweaty day tomorrow.